Gillingham 1 Stevenage 1: Reaction from Neil Harris after a League 2 point at Priestfield

Gillingham turned in a first-half performance on Saturday that was as good as anything manager Neil Harris has seen since taking charge.

The Gills took the game to the league leaders Stevenage and should have taken the lead when Scott Kashket missed from close-range. Danny Rose opened the scoring to put the visitors ahead before Elkan Baggott powered in a header to level it up. The match finished 1-1 as the Gills ended the game holding onto what they had earned.

Harris said: “The first half was up there as one of the best performances we have had since I have been at the club, we had quality, chances, we were playing a well-drilled side and I thought we absolutely dominated them first half. Second half was more backs to the wall, we had to dig in, it was a really strong performance.

“I was really pleased with the character of the boys, really pleased with the point, when you are a team that is growing and you play a top of the league team that has won six out of seven (in the league) then you have to stand strong. I am really proud of the players.

“First half, they have one effort that goes in the back of the net and that is what money buys you, it was a great header (from Rose). We’re disappointed as a unit that we didn’t defend the cross better but we could have been infront with Kashy’s chance just before.

“We got ourselves level with a good finish ourselves. I thought we were excellent, we stood up to the physical challenge.

“We knew what was coming and I picked a team accordingly. We talk about how direct they are but they are really good at what they do, really good at it, we stood strong. I knew an experienced manager (in Steve Evans) would have to make a change. We made the top side in the league change shape at