Gillingham boss Steve Lovell was grateful for the point on a day where his side underperformed.

Lovell used the half time break to try and rally his team into action after a disappointing first 45 minutes.

In the end it needed a special goal from Elliott List to grab them a point.

Report: Gillingham 1 Coventry City 1

Reacting to the performance, he said: “They sat off them first half, gave them too much time on the ball and didn’t pick up people when we lost possession. We had to have a bit of a go at them half time and try and work out how we could go about it.”

The Gills boss admitted his side looked “leggy” against a Coventry side who benefited from making a number of changes.

He said: “We do things quick, we have done for the first five games this season, but I don’t think we did (on Saturday).

“I think Coventry deserved what they got and maybe a little bit more. On the day, the point was good for us because the boys really had a go second half, dug in and did what we had we should have done in the first half, they got amongst them.

“They worked hard second half and deserved the point at the end, but we didn’t start bright. When we don’t start bright it is hard for us to get into it. That was the case.”

Gillingham were up against it in the second half after scoring almost immediately from the restart.

“With the group we have got, they roll their sleeves up,” said the manager.

“They don’t give up, that is the pleasing things for us, they kept going. It was nice to see Listy come on and get a goal. It was pleasing second half but first half we were disappointed with the way we started.”

In a game of numerous chances, Coventry had 26 to Gillingham’s 15 shots on goal.

Lovell, whose side had lost their previous two league games despite having more chances than the opposition, said: “We have been in that position, we know what it is like. Their manager will be a little gutted that they haven’t come away with three points and quite rightly so, they deserved it over 90 minutes because we weren’t at it.

“In the week we will have to get it all sorted ready for a tough game at Barnsley next week.”