Harrogate Town 0 Gillingham 0: Reaction from Gills boss Neil Harris after League 2 goalless draw

Gillingham manager Neil Harris bemoaned his side’s lack of quality up top at Harrogate after their game ended goalless.

There was no shortage of goalscoring threat in his team, playing Aiden O’Brien and Tom Nichols together in the starting eleven for the first time while Tim Dieng returned to a midfield unit that also included George Lapslie. It didn’t happen for the Gills on the day, however.

Harris said: “First 15 minutes I thought we were fantastic. We should have been in front, then I thought Harrogate were better playing down the slope for the rest of the first half. We just turned possession over too cheaply for my liking.

“In the second half we came out and were the better team. Glenn Morris (the Gills goalkeeper) had to make a couple of saves on the counter-attack but we got in really good positions, had some chances and put some really good balls into the box as well and just missed that cutting edge.

“I asked my players for character and mentality and we had that in abundance, we just didn’t have that moment of quality to win it.

“Both teams were playing 4-4-2 and getting the ball forward, both sets of centre-halves stood up pretty well. It was tough for Max (Ehmer) and Connor (Masterson) against their two centre forwards, they were a real handful. Oli (Hawkins) and Nico (Tom Nichols) I wouldn’t say they were at their absolutely best but were still a handful for 90 minutes and it only takes a moment for us to create something.

“Fair play to them as well but I was pleased to get back on the bus with a point.”

Thanks to all who travelled so far. We’ve come a long way. Today there is a bit of disappointment in one point away. I like that. Expectations are higher. 8 points from relegation is better than yesterday.