Walsall 2 Gillingham 2: Manager Gareth Ainsworth reacts to their League Two draw at the Bescot Stadium

Gillingham’s manager thanked those who backed him and the team after picking up a much-needed point on Friday.

It may not have been a win, but a 2-2 draw at promotion-chasing Walsall and a more encouraging performance was just the tonic Ainsworth’s side needed after a tough run of results.

Report: Walsall 2 Gillingham 2

“We're getting there,” said Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth. “It wasn’t perfect, obviously we conceded two goals, but to come back from 1-0 down, to go in front and score a cracking first goal and then an opportunist one from Seb [Palmer-Houlden], that was brilliant.

“The fans were absolutely superb, ‘thank you’. It's been tough, and there's no hiding from that and I'll front it up every time, but we all needed that, fans, players, me, but I'll keep working, I'll keep pushing, I'll keep striving.

“[It’s been] tough, very tough, and thank you to everyone who's still by us.

“I've had a lot of people coming up to us going, ‘Gareth, keep going because we know what you're trying to do’, and believe me, there's going to be changes.

“I need to make changes here, and I want everyone to be excited for next season.

“This season is ending in five or six games, not with the points total that all the fans want, I'm sure the owners want more, I want more, but again, give us a chance.

“I think there's some big things going to happen at this football club, I know there's some big things going to happen at this football club. Get excited about next year, that's what I want to say.

“Honestly, in injury time, I'm thinking, ‘please blow the whistle - I'll take a 2-2 after what I've been through’ and then we get a long throw and I'm thinking, just maybe, being a bit greedy there.

“We'll build and we'll go and we'll try and win