Gillingham boss Neil Harris felt his side “dominated” high-flying Carlisle United – before sinking the Blues with a late winner.
The Gills manager said United only got on top of his side for a five-to-seven minute spell in the second half.
Otherwise, Harris said his side got the better of Paul Simpson’s visitors across the park.
Gills were jubilant when Shaun Williams hit their injury-time winner.
And Harris said of the 1-0 win: “I thought we were very good. Without being overly created, we were creative.
“We dominated the game, barring when they made their subs and changed their shape of their front three, and had a five to seven minute spell where they got down the sides a bit better than us and Glenn [Morris] had to make a save.
“But otherwise we dominated the game and fair play to my players for reaching my demands.”
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Gillingham’s win was their seventh in eight home games as United’s promotion hopes suffered a blow.
Their hosts moved up three places to 16th and further away from the relegation worries that had dogged them earlier in the campaign.
Shaun Williams' last-gasp Gillingham winner (Image: Richard Parkes)
The Kent outfit are the division’s form team and Harris was delighted with how they went to the end against the Blues.
“I didn’t see people streaming out on 91 minutes – I see them staying, they want to clap their team off after a strong performance and trust and hope in the group that we might come up with something,” he added in post-match interviews with the BBC and Kent Online.
“Carlisle are a difficult side to play against, not just because they have a good shape, an experienced manager and good players, but a goalkeeper [Tomas Holy] that catches everything in his six yard box.
“We got into good areas and maybe didn’t find that killer moment, but you also have to say to the opponent, ‘well done’ to them.
“But when you need that moment of quality, we have Shaun Williams. It’s a great finish, great composure.
“You’re talking about an international footballer. He’s played at the top level for the Republic of Ireland.”
Harris said Carlisle, along with the likes of Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town, are examples of former strugglers who make big strides that Gillingham now want to emulate.
“Teams in the bottom two or three that progress over an 18-month period – that’s got to be us,” he added.
“I came to the game so calm and relaxed. It’s a brilliant position for a manager to be in when he knows what he’s going to get from his players.”
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