Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth was pleased with the chances his side created against Northampton Town at the weekend.

Although he wasn’t as happy that more of them didn’t go in and thinks his side need a little more luck in that respect.

Speaking to the official site after the game, he said: “I think that we have created the better chances and had more shots on goal. As the last three games have shown, it is just sticking it in the net. I think that we are creating really well.

“James Brophy was unlucky today. I think that Sheldon’s (Kendall) put one over the top there. We need to hit the target; we have to make sure that we do that. Ronan’s (Hale) had a few chances, and Broph (James Brophy) from free-kicks and things. I am pleased with where we are. I really am.

“I thought that we looked secure at the back. It is a ricochet from a great Omar Beckles block, and it has perfectly rolled back to him so he can put it into the far netting. We need one of them. We need one of those bits of luck.”

Conor McManus made his first start for the Gills at left wing back and he was quick to show that he had an eye for goal, scoring with a header in the first half. Ainsworth was delighted for his new signing. 

He added: “What a start! Conor makes his full debut in the Football League and scores a goal. Not many do that. Congratulations to Conor, who was in the right place. He took the header really well. It was a great cross from the other wing-back, Nick Freeman, and it was something that we have worked on. It is something that needed finishing. It was a great moment for him.”

One noticeable absence for the Gills was midfielder Zane Albarus who has been impressive since signing for the club in the summer.

“Zane picked a knock up and we just have to look after him. He is very young, and we have to make sure that he is not at threat. 

“I thought that Robbie (McKenzie) and Harry Waldock, especially, did really well today. Harry has come in and hasn’t started for me this season yet and came in and performed very heroically, winning second balls and driving forward. 

“I want those squad headaches. I want the selection headaches of having to leave good people out of the team. At the moment, there are two or three too many injuries.”

The Gills have been busy in recent days with the addition of Lamin Sillah and now Jack Daley on loan, with the potential of more to come before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

On the potential for new signings, he said: “I think that there will be a couple of more faces coming in before Tuesday at 11pm. I am aiming to do that. Lamin (Sillah) has come in, and wow, he has got a leap on him. He can certainly win a header. There was a moment in the box where we thought that it might just be his minute, but he is going to get plenty of game time. 

“There are a couple more that I have my eye on that I think will improve the squad.”

The Gills are back in action tomorrow evening, as they head to Chesterfield, a tie that Ainsworth knows will not be easy.

“It is never easy. Paul Cook has a good side, and they are way down the line with Paul Cook, I think. Five or six years now with him, with his style and the players that he wants to bring in.

“He is a good manager. We are both lucky enough to have managed at higher levels and met each other up there. It is always a challenge meeting Cooky in League Two, and that goes right back to his Accy (Accrington Stanley) days and things like that. He is a great character.”