Gillingham boss reacts to 4-1 win over Carlisle United

The Kent club subjected the Blues to a 4-1 defeat on the opening day of the League Two season.

But Bonner, for whom it was a first competitive game in charge of the Gills, said United made it difficult for his side in spells.

“The scoreline makes that sound more comfortable than that was,” Bonner said.

“It was really tough for us in the first half and tough for us during a period of the second.

“Once we got the third it became a bit of a different game, a bit more comfortable for us.”

Bonner was not happy with his side’s first-half display after Tim Dieng’s second-minute opener.

READ MORE: Simpson blames 'individual mistakes' for Gillingham defeat

But he was delighted with the overall effort and the outcome against a “tough” Carlisle side.

“There were spells in the game where we had too long without the ball, got too deep, got forced back into the half, didn’t get enough pressure on them in the opposition half, or with the ball,” said Bonner, speaking via KentOnline.

The scoreboard tells the story as United's owners and directors watch the game (Image: Richard Parkes)

“There’s loads to work on but I was really pleased that people came out and saw a performance that they like.

“It’s a tough, tough team [Carlisle], a tough first game, on a difficult afternoon in terms of weather and things like that.

“Probably our best part of the game was the very beginning. I didn’t like us after we scored, I really liked how we started the second half and I thought the third goal was so important and when we got it that killed them a little bit and we were excellent.

“We have to play with that kind of vigour when the game is that much in the balance.

“We had moments in the game where we found it difficult against a good side but if you would have offered us that at the start of the day I would have been absolutely chewing your arm off.”