Gillingham boss: We took the game to Portsmouth

The Gills boss believes his team were rewarded for not sitting back as they picked up a surprise win at Fratton Park.

Lovell's team ended the 11-game unbeaten league run of Kenny Jackett's men with a 2-0 success.

That's despite struggling in the league and not winning  in 10 games - a run stretching back to August 11.

Tom Eaves' spectacular striker and Alex Lacey's first-half stoppage time effort made the difference as Pompey defended poorly from a corner.

Lovell told www.gillinghamfootballclub.com: '˜We showed we've got what it takes to win games in this league.

'˜Nobody gave us a chance coming down here today apart from us as a group, everybody gave everything and we've got something out of it.

'˜I like to go and take the game to the opposition and it was no different.

'˜We've got players in the side that can go and hurt teams and that's what they did, we defended well as a group and I thought we thoroughly deserved it.

'˜I'm very proud of all the boys.

'˜We are not a team that likes to sit back and go for a 0-0; I like to take the game to the opposition and I know Kenny and Portsmouth have been on a great run, but we had a go at them and it worked, I'm delighted.'

Lovell was delighted to reward the 550 travelling Gillingham fans, who have endured a bleak period.

And he was pleased they saw a couple of goals the manager felt were of impressive quality.

He added: '˜They were brilliant '“ Tom knew exactly what he was going to do, and he finished it off magnificently.

'˜Lacey's was the same and it was a great finish. It came at a great time for us, just before half-time.

'˜They (Gillingham supporters) have come down here and supported us when nobody gave us a chance coming down here.

'˜I'm happy for everybody that travelled down, and everybody connected with the football club.'