Gareth Ainsworth praised his players’ attitude and adaptability after Gillingham made it four draws in a row with a spirited 1-1 result away at Chesterfield.
The Gills led through Elliott Nevitt’s first-half strike, only to be pegged back by a determined Chesterfield side in the second half. It’s another point on the road for Ainsworth, who remains unbeaten in charge, but still awaits his first win as manager.
Late Pressure, Missed Chances – and a Growing Identity
The visitors began brightly at the SMH Group Stadium, dominating the opening 45 minutes and frustrating the home side with smart pressing and control. Their preparation was disrupted by a last-minute formation switch, but Ainsworth was full of praise for the way his team adapted on the fly.
“We changed (formation) just before kick-off because I thought Chesterfield had changed. But as it happens, they hadn’t. So, we changed back… and the boys adapted so well,” said Ainsworth.
Despite limited time on the training pitch due to the congested schedule, Ainsworth revealed the squad had worked from video analysis and executed the game plan well. Gillingham could have doubled their lead before the break, with chances from Nevitt and Joe Gbode going close.
After the restart, the tide turned as Chesterfield attacked their favoured end. Backed by a vocal home crowd, they threw numbers forward. The equaliser was well-taken, and Ainsworth admitted the Gills had to weather pressure. A late chance for Jimmy-Jay Morgan nearly snatched it, but the game ended level.
“We really took the first half to them. I thought we were a better team. I thought we controlled the ball better. We had some great chances in the first half, and we frustrated them.
“Second half, when they kick towards their home end, it’s just like us at home kicking to the Rainham End. The fans are behind them.”
Ainsworth reserved special praise for the 340 travelling Gillingham supporters who made the long Tuesday night journey, calling their presence “phenomenal.”
“I think 340 made the trip. That’s a phenomenal numbers for a Tuesday night when there’s Champions League on the TV and there’s not much to play for in the season. Wow. Thank you.
“I can’t wait for the home game against MK Dons on Saturday now.”
Writer’s View
It’s clear Gillingham are becoming harder to beat under Ainsworth. Four draws in four is a solid if unspectacular start, but this was perhaps the most promising performance yet. The tactical awareness, work rate, and grit were all evident — what’s missing now is the clinical touch. That first win can’t be far away if performances continue like this.
