Gillingham 1 Sutton United 0: Reaction from Gills head coach Stephen Clemence after League 2 win at Priestfield

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence was pleased to see his team take onboard his advice ahead of their game against Sutton.

The Gills boss wanted his team to play “with the shackles off” and they did just that, creating 24 shots at goal. Only one went in but it’s progress from a team who hadn’t scored in any of their previous three league outings and had picked up just a single point.

More: Gillingham 1 Sutton 0

Speaking after the 1-0 win, Clemence said: “I am pleased, pleased the boys have actually really believed they could go and attack a team from the start and they really had a go.

“I told them to take the shackles off and said ‘what are you worried about? Go and take a team on, you are good players, go and show us what you can do when you step over that white line.’

“It’s alright me telling them that I believe in them but they have to believe in themselves and go and prove it. I thought from the start they really did that.

“People will say we were only against 10 men but we were fantastic against 11 as well. Sutton just had a good result against Wimbledon at Wimbledon’s ground only a few days ago. They might be near the bottom of the league but no game is easy, I always say that, every game is a tough one. I am just pleaded for the boys, pleased we have got three points.”

Sutton had striker Harry Smith sent off midway through the first half for a foul on Max Ehmer.

Scott Malone’s 72nd minute volley into the top corner won it but there were plenty of easier chances to convert. Taking those opportunities remains an issue but Clemence was pleased to end the year with maximum points.

“We were absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Fantastic when they had 11 men and we probably could have been a couple up at that