Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth saw his side register their first win of the season last weekend, with a 1-0 win at home to Walsall, a side much favoured for the coveted play-off spots.

It is fair to say that the Gills boss was proud of his side after the victory and performance in front of 6498 fans on a sunny afternoon.

Speaking to the official website after the game, Ainsworth said: “I am proud of a group of boys in there who have given everything. We had a way that we wanted to set up and a way that we wanted to play today.

“I think that in the first half, we did it to an extent, and we didn’t really hurt them too much. I made a change at half-time. I thought that the ball needed to stick up top a little bit more. 

“They sat very deep against us, Walsall, so I thought that if they are going to sit deep, then let’s bring on a big man and cause them some problems deep. I thought that Josh [Andrews] was very good in the second half. He gives us a presence, and we ended up getting up the pitch. 

“The football was not as great as in the first half; it was a bit more pragmatic, but we ended up getting a long throw, which ends in a goal. We will take it however it comes. 

“I thought that we saw it out really well. There were some solid performances and real energy. I am really proud of these boys today. They gave me everything. They deserve all of the credit. They have got the win today. Not just the eleven that started, and not the eleven that finished. Jonny Williams, Nelson Khumbeni and Jake Turner on the bench were so behind the boys, as were the injured boys behind the bench. You felt it today. That’s the identity that I want to bring back here.

One man the manager was quick to praise was goal scorer Bradley Dack, who netted his second goal since re-joining the club last season.

He said: “Bradley (Dack), obviously, it was only ever going to be him wasn’t it? In the first home game after his commitment to the club in the summer. Believe me, he has come here because he loves this club and he is invested in what we’re trying to do. He’s a leader in that dressing room, and he is bringing on some of the young boys.

“To be fair, there was one in the first half, and I thought that if there was anyone that I wanted that to land to, it’s Bradley Dack. His technique is superb. He blasted that one over the bar, and I think that disappointed him, so when it came to the second time, he wasn’t going to miss that. It was a great finish, and he is off the mark, which is great.  

With Conor Masterson limping off it looks like the calf injury might not be as bad as first feared, but the club will monitor the situation closely.

Ainsworth also spoke about his desire to get that Fortress Priestfield feeling back again.

He added: “Somebody just said to me that you look horrible to play against. That’s the biggest compliment a manager could ever have. I don’t want to be nice to play against. I want to be horrible to play against. 

“I want people to come here and go, ‘We hate coming to Priestfield. Not only is it miles away, but it is also horrible to go there. The fans are right on your back and right with the team. They don’t let you have an inch, and their energy is great.’

“That is what I want, and that is superb. We found a way to win today. We really did. 

“The fans were brilliant. Thank you. You got us over the line. I had to ask for a little bit on about 92 minutes, and they responded really well. I think that they helped get us home.”