Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth was delighted to leave Barrow with all three points last weekend.

The Gills won for the first at Barrow in almost 60 years, thanks to a 103rd minute winner from Robbie McKenzie. It was rewarding for both manager, players and the 237 travelling fans.

Speaking to the official website after the game, a delighted Ainsworth said: “Robbie [McKenzie] is a fantastic player. He has done today what I have asked him to do, and we are not going to give away our secrets of how we want to play and train, but he has done what I have wanted him to do. He played a part in getting the corner for the goal. 

“Euan Williams has the shot, and okay, it is probably into the pack, but for Robbie to be alive. Nothing has fallen for us. I said against Chesterfield, that one of those set pieces is one ever going to fall to us? Where we just have it in front of goal, and we put it in. It probably fell to Robbie today, that’s justified. 

“It was a great win, and I’m really pleased for the boys. They have needed that, and not just them, the 237 away fans. Please go back to Priestfield on Saturday and spread that joy, because you lot were brilliant.

“At the end, some of the emotions that we were feeling in front of you guys is crazy, especially after the boos of last weekend, and rightfully so.”

Ainsworth made a number of changes after the weekend defeat to Oldham as promised, though it didn’t quite go to plan for all who started.

He added: “We have probably created a little bit more than them, but some of the defending. When you talk about Omar (Beckles), Smith (Andy) and Galey (Sam Gale), then you have got my two wing-backs in Clarky (Max Clark) and Remeao (Hutton), but those three in the middle; the crosses were coming in, and they were scrapping and marking men.

“There was one that came in the second-half, and Andy Smith is in a tussle with someone at the back post, and I thought, that’s defending. That was brilliant for me. I am really proud of the boys.

“I thought that the runners would be key today, and I stand by that. I thought that we had a lot of territory, and it was just a little bit of quality in the final third that we need to work on, and we will work on. 

“As I say, that is my style. We put it on teams, and hopefully, that will be a fear factor when we’re going forward, when we’re at full strength. 

“Cameron (Antwi) was looking really good, and he has put a big tackle in, so it’s a positive sign. We know that the boy is going to tackle for us, and that is what you have to do in a Gillingham shirt. The fans will be proud of that. He really went in. It was Sam Gale style, I might say, but he has rolled his ankle in the tackle, so we will have to have a look at that. 

“Armani (Little) just felt a muscle, and we have got to have a look at that. There are a couple of others that picked up, and we will see where they are in the week.”