Gillingham defender Max Ehmer backs team-mate Jack Tucker after he was beaten to the ball in stoppage-time by Sunderland’s Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead

A relentless defensive performance from Max Ehmer wasn’t over at the final whistle as the stand-in captain gave his backing to team-mate Jack Tucker.

Gillingham were up against it all afternoon on Saturday against Sunderland but looked to be holding out for a well-earned point before Tucker was beaten to a cross in the 95th minute.

It was a big blow for relegation-threatened Gills, but Ehmer was quick to praise Tucker’s efforts prior to the decisive moment of the game.

“The boys were devastated,” said Ehmer, speaking after the loss.

“It was a tough one to take because for 95 out of the 96 minutes we were keeping them at bay and then it is one small lapse of concentration, but fair play to Jack Tucker, he has cleared some unbelievable balls across the box (in the game).”

Moments before the goal Tucker produced a great block to deny Ross Stewart a tap-in. Prior to that the young defender had been making blocks and knocking balls out of the box for fun.

But Ehmer said: “It is the harsh reality of football really, you do all of those blocks and then one moment when he gets blindsided by their striker and he (Nathan Broadhead) heads it in, being in a defender I know how that hurts, we just have to get around Jack and he will come good for us next week, as he always does, because he was unbelievable for us, it was just one small error has cost us but we are right there behind him.

“Some of Jack’s blocks and clearances were unbelievable but then it is that moment and for the 96 minutes of the game we need to make sure we are all switched on 100%. It is a good ball, to be fair, it was good movement and he has caught Jack on the wrong side, he managed to put it in the net but the firepower they have in that team, for us to be