Gillingham boss Steve Evans has regrets despite taking point off Portsmouth

Steve Evans admitted his ‘terrific’ Gillingham side should have returned home clear winners from their trip to Fratton Park yesterday.
Vadaine Oliver celebrates his equaliser against PompeyVadaine Oliver celebrates his equaliser against Pompey
Vadaine Oliver celebrates his equaliser against Pompey

The Gills boss said justice would have been served had his players scored ‘four or five’ goals during the second half of their match-up with Pompey.

Instead, the visitors headed home to Kent with a share of the spoils, after Vadaine Oliver cancelled out Sean Raggett’s 31st-minute opener before half-time.

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The point earned still pleased Evans – who said some of his players weren’t good enough in the build-up to the game, following their midweek defeat at the hands of AFC Wimbledon.

Yet that didn’t stop him ruing some of the missed chances his side created after the break, with home keeper Craig MacGillivray, in particular, coming to Pompey’s rescue in stoppage-time to deny former Blue John Akinde.

Evans told Kent Online: ‘You don’t often go to Fratton Park and miss a host of chances and totally dominate for the second half of the game – that is what happened.

‘We went behind when we were defensively sloppy in a couple of challenges and we get back level when Vadaine (Oliver) does well to read that situation (when Lee Brown’s weak attempt to play the ball back to MacGillivray fell short).

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‘Olly Lee forces a brilliant save from the goalkeeper (before the break) and we had a good halt-time chat with the boys.

‘Second half we were terrific.

‘If it is four or five (goals) in the second half then that is justice.

‘We didn’t get anything from Tuesday (at Wimbledon) when we deserved to get all three. We got a point here when we deserved to get all three.

‘We are a really pleased, particularly second half, considering the quality of players that Kenny has available.’

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Evans added it was good to see opposite number Jackett back in the dugout after his recent operation to remove a mole from his arm.

He said: ‘It is fantastic to see Kenny Jackett back on the sideline.

‘He has been missing for a few weeks and we all worried for Kenny.

‘He is a friend of mine. I was buzzing to see him pre kick off.’

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