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Gillingham fans stunned by home defeat to Macclesfield at Priestfield on Saturday

09:31, 03 May 2011

Gillingham fans
Gillingham fans

Gillingham fans voice their discontent at Priestfield Picture: Andy Payton

Gillingham fans were shell-shocked to see their side concede three in the first 18 minutes against Macclesfield on Saturday.

A 4-2 defeat to Macclesfield came just a week after losing to Barnet by the same scoreline at Priestfield.

The Gills, who needed a result to keep their destiny in their own hands, must now head to Chesterfield reliant on others and getting something themselves.

Read what the Gills Jury thought below.

MICK MARTIN

(Eynsford)

Cody McDonald
Cody McDonald

"I felt quite defeatist after the game, the same as I did at Wycombe last season.

"In our last four home games we have dropped 10 points out of a possible 12 and have finished the season terribly. Why have we fallen away? Too many changes, enforced or not.

"For example, Kevin Maher is our best defensive midfield player and though he played, he didn’t play against Barnet.

"Knowing how we are I’d say we are likely to win at Chesterfield. I predict 2-1 to the Gills with McDonald (pictured) and an unexpected second goalscorer, like Matt Lawrence. But even if we don’t make the play-offs I won’t be calling for Andy Hessenthaler to stand down."

DAVID GARTH

(Gillingham)

Garry Richards and Simon King
Garry Richards and Simon King

"I don’t know where to start, we were horribly exposed against pace, especially Simon King and Garry Richards (pictured right), and I thought our promotion bubble burst within the first 10 minutes.

"What made it worse was that Cody could have had a hat-trick in the first half.

"The tackle on Barry Fuller was shocking and I couldn’t believe that the referee didn’t send him off for that.

"We need to produce a miracle on the final day but looking at Stevenage and Torquay, they both have tough games. We’re capable of getting a win, though."

RICHARD PEPPER

(Manston)

"Quite frankly the less said about Saturday’s game, the better. No fight, no desire, poor team selection and devoid of tactics. Enough said.

"Most people could see this coming, though not quite as bad as it turned out. All season we have lacked shape, tactics other than lumping the ball to Akinfenwa and no plan ‘b’ when this fails.

"The players are lacking in fitness compared to last season and have had many more niggling injuries this year as well. In a way, it maybe better if we stay down and take a long, hard look at ourselves. Either way it promises to be an interesting close season and no doubt the team next season will bear little resemblance to the current side.

"This has been probably the worst home season I can ever remember and one to be forgotten quickly, but hopefully learnt from. Sadly the club’s seemingly poor current financial situation must be taken into account and we should prepare for the rocky road ahead. Either way we will be back in August to go again."

MACCLESFIELD FAN

Dave Littler

"We needed a point to be absolutely safe and I predicted a 2-2 draw, but the first 20 minutes were the best we have played all season. It was a bit unexpected, in fact it stunned us. From then, it was just a matter of holding on.

"We treated the game like a cup final, we were really up for it, but I also think we caught Gillingham on a bad run. It was a knock-on effect from last week’s home defeat to Barnet.

"If Gills don’t go up this year they should be good enough next season."

Pictures: Andy Payton

Can the Gills pick themselves up and get what they want at Chesterfield? Add your comment below.

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