Mark Robins not disheartened despite Coventry missed chances against Gillingham

Posted Sunday, August 26, 2018 by PA

Mark Robins remained proud of his Coventry players despite seeing them waste a golden opportunity to pick up three points in a 1-1 draw against Gillingham.

Jonson Clarke-Harris put the dominant visitors in front at the beginning of the second half and they looked good value for victory.

But Elliot List rescued a point for the Gills with a solo stunner to leave the Sky Blues to rue what might have been.

However, after defeat to Blackpool in midweek, Robins was only taking the positives.

“I enjoyed watching us, it became frustrating when we didn’t take our chances – we created 25 shots. But it was better (than Tuesday),” he said.

“We moved the ball well, we created decent openings, but you’ve got to score goals. If we’d have scored a second, we could have gone on to get three or four. It could have been a rout. We controlled the game so well.

“Off the back of the result midweek, we spoke about what we needed to do to keep our identity. I’m proud of the players today – they’ve done what we asked of them.

“They’ve been brave. We lost a little bit of energy towards the end of the game but we looked a threat all day.”

The visitors dominated throughout, but were made to pay for wasting several clear-cut chances. Tom Bayliss forced Tomas Holy into a good save from 15 yards and Jordan Shipley shot straight at the Gills goalkeeper following an incisive break.

After Clarke-Harris’ opener, Bayliss had an effort well blocked by Max Ehmer and Tony Andreu’s effort narrowly missed the target.

“It was a really good performance from (Clarke-Harris). That’s the standard I want from him; when he plays like that he’s the best target man at the club bar none. He’s outstanding when he plays like that – I just want to see it more often,” added Robins.

Meanwhile Steve Lovell was delighted to see his Gills end a three-game losing run in all competitions.

“Their manager will be gutted that they didn’t get the three points – quite rightly, too, as they deserved it over the 90 minutes. We’ve done well to get a point,” he said.

“In the first half we sat off them, gave them too much time on the ball and didn’t pick up people when we lost possession. We had a bit of a go at them at half-time and changed the formation.

“We’re normally a quick side, but today we weren’t. We looked a little bit leggy, the sharpness wasn’t there. I’m not making any excuses.

“That happens sometimes, so you’ve got to pick up points when you can. Today is a point gained as opposed to points lost.”