Lovell admits Gillingham do things hard way after progressing in FA Cup

Posted Monday, December 03, 2018 by PA

Gillingham are in the hat for the FA Cup third round for the first time in six years after a 1-0 win over non-league Slough Town but they had to do it the hard way according to boss Steve Lovell.

The Gills were grateful for Darren Oldaker’s dipping strike at the start of the second half to see them through against the National League South side that pushed them all the way.

“All credit to Slough, they gave us one of the hardest games we’ve had this season,” Lovell said.

“They came out at us, put us under pressure and stopped us from playing. I’m just delighted for the boys – they dug in.

“We came here to win the game; in the FA Cup it doesn’t matter how you win it, but we’re in the hat and that’s all that matters.

“I had a go at him [Oldaker] at half-time as I didn’t think he was stamping his authority on the game – even at 19 he should be doing that.

“He then pops up with that goal, which shows that he listens!”

Slough boss Jon Underwood was left to rue what might have been as Manny Williams wasted their best chance late on.

He said: “We’ve got to keep reminding ourselves that it’s a three-league gap we had to bridge today and we did just that. It’s one hell of a performance from the boys.

“It hurts because we were all dreaming about those massive games. I won’t watch the draw tomorrow as I won’t get any pleasure out of it.

“The FA Cup allows you to dream – going to Old Trafford, Anfield and Wembley is what you dream about and had things have gone differently today we might have had that opportunity.”