Evans hopes for luck to change as Gillingham edged out by Peterborough

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2019 by PA

Gillingham manager Steve Evans believes his players are due a large slice of luck after fine margins proved the difference once again in their 2-1 home defeat to Peterborough.

Joe Ward put the away side ahead with a stunning 25-yard shot that left Gillingham goalkeeper Jack Bonham stranded before Mark Bryne gifted the opposition a second after handling Ward’s driven corner, Mo Eisa scoring the resulting penalty.

There were plenty of bright spells for the Gills who missed numerous chances to draw level at Priestfield Stadium, substitute Mikael Mandron’s 80th-minute strike – his first goal for Gillingham – being one of the positives to take from the game.

His side may sit 16th in Sky Bet League One having only won three of their 13 matches so far this season but for manager Evans, their performance against his former club Peterborough was not one of major concern, the boss instead insisting it is only a matter of time until luck starts to work in their favour.

“I’m scratching my head as I’m thinking I must have driven over a black cat when I joined Gillingham because we’ve not had any luck this season,” said Evans.

“I think everybody in the stadium thinks we deserved more than we got today. The boys battled well but we’re disappointed. We did enough to win but we’ve got nothing for our efforts.

“We were the better team in the first half but it’s an unbelievable strike from Joe Ward. He took advantage of a slip and he’s capable of those goals.

“Peterborough have got good players, but we cannot focus on them – they’ve ridden their luck today. I cannot ask the boys for any more effort.

“We’ve not had a decision, a bounce of the ball nor a mistake go in our favour. We’ll play a lot worse this season and we’ll win.”

For Peterborough, victory away at Gillingham was a continuation of their impressive form, the Posh having won seven of their last 10 matches.

As a result, they sit third in the League One standings and while manager Darren Ferguson is delighted with his team’s progress so far this season, he knows his side can go much further.

“It’s a big win. It wasn’t anywhere near a brilliant performance, nor was it easy to watch on the eye, but psychologically it was an important win,” said the Peterborough boss.

“We weren’t anywhere near where we can be today, but we managed to dig out a result. When you come to Gillingham that’s what it’s all about.

“I think it may be the first time I’ve won here. Their home form has been decent, and Ipswich scraped a 1-0 win here and we told the players just to get the win and get on that bus home tonight.”