Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth looks ahead to their trip to Newport County’s Rodney Parade in League 2 this Saturday

Gillingham haven’t had much fun at Newport’s Rodney Parade ground – but it’s a different story for their manager.

Rodney Parade has been the home of Newport County since 2012, but Gillingham’s three visits to the ground have all ended in defeats, the latest being a 3-1 loss six months ago, before Ainsworth was appointed manager.

For Ainsworth, the ground evokes happier memories.

Ahead of Gills’ trip to Newport this Saturday, he recalled a happy visit of his own: He said: “I was Wycombe manager for a couple of seasons before I got it together. I got it together after I met a guy called Andrew Howard, who came in as chairman. We really sorted the place out, and we put my stamp down on what I wanted it to be.

“I almost went down the year before, out of the Football League, and I was just taking the reins. I wasn't properly managing. I'll admit that now. It was tough at the start.

“I’d say the Wycombe era started at Rodney Parade. It was the 2014/15 season. We went there, we won 2-0, and I remember the game. I don't remember many games in seasons, but I do remember that one because it was a big one.

“It was the first game together for me and Andrew, and it was the start of that fantastic journey we went on that ended in the Championship, play-offs, Wembley trips and everything with Wycombe. It was great.”

Wycombe lost there the following year, but Ainsworth and his assistant Richard Dobson led them to a 1-0 win the year after, then a goalless draw the season they got promoted from League 2.

Gillingham have found it tough against Newport - losing the last six games against the Welsh side - but Ainsworth is determined to end the poor run of form.

He said: “We're going to try and turn that around but we have to be at our best