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Jepson: We're still not completely safe

00:00, 10 October 2006

Matt Jarvis celebrates his late, late goal with Gary Mulligan. Picture: GRANT FALVEY
Matt Jarvis celebrates his late, late goal with Gary Mulligan. Picture: GRANT FALVEY

GILLINGHAM manager Ronnie Jepson insisted the relegation battle wasn’t over despite seeing his side win their fourth consecutive game on Saturday.

Jepson’s side climbed to 13th in League 1 and, with 53 points, there will be few Gills followers being as cautious as the club’s manager.

Not since March 2000 had a Gillingham side achieved four back-to-back league wins but after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield, Jepson warned: “We are not safe yet.”

He did, however, have plenty of positives to say about his side who once again toppled high-flying opposition on home turf.

He said: “The lads have been fantastic. It was a good win against a good team who are chasing automatic promotion. They’ve worked hard and are getting their rewards.

Great start

“It was nice to give the supporters something to cheer about as they haven’t had much this season.”

Gillingham got off to a great start as Gary Mulligan netted a fourth-minute opener, his first goal for the club in nine appearances.

Jepson said: “If ever a lad deserved a goal it was Gary. It doesn’t effect me that he hasn’t been scoring because of the amount of work he does for the team.

“That was the icing on the cake for me to get a goal which was thoroughly deserved.”

Mulligan should have earned Gillingham a penalty soon afterwards, when he was brought down in the box, and it wasn’t until the 90th minute that the game was wrapped up, with a superb strike from Matt Jarvis.

Jepson was able to name an unchanged side for the third consecutive match, something which he feels has been a big help in the side’s current run of form.

“It’s the first time in the job I’ve been able to do it,” added Jepson. “It helps with the continuity and the shape and balance of the side and we’ve also got good lads on the bench who can strengthen our hand.”

With no injury worries, even captain Chris Hope was unable to force his way into the squad and after Saturday’s performance, Jepson will be reluctant to change anything for Good Friday’s visit to leaders Southend.

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