Gillingham manager Neil Harris was determined to make the family of Danielle Cubitt proud on Saturday and his men delivered.

Cubitt worked for the club in match control and also helped out with community events. She died recently, aged 20. A minute’s applause preceded the League 2 game at Priestfield and by the end of it the Gills had fought with 10 men for over 80 minutes to claim a point against Swindon Town.

Report: Gillingham 0 Swindon 0

Harris spoke to the family just before kick off but after having a player sent off with just 10 minutes played, he admitted he feared the worst. The match ended goalless.

He said: “I said to the parents of a young lady who lost her life at the start of the week that we were going to put in a performance that makes the family proud, forget anything else, we wanted to make them proud.

“When we went down to 10 men after nine minutes I feared that against probably the best footballing team in the division that I have seen, that we could get opened up.

“My boys stood strong and they put in a performance befitting of any Gillingham team over the years that I have been with or played against. There have been dark times for the whole family after losing Danielle, hopefully they can take some solace in that and the team delivered for them.

“I said I would make their family proud and I am proud of my team.

“They were brilliant, it was not the win we wanted, not the goals we wanted, but it feels like it in so many ways.

“You can play against a good football team that move the ball and overload and hurt you, it is difficult to play against that and unfortunately I have been there a few times, you have to find a way. You put the shape out there you want to play and it is up to the boys to deliver and yes Glenn (Morris) made some saves, one point-blank first half, but I thought we had as many chances as they did, Kash hit the post and it was just the use of the ball on the regain as well. It was really impressive so yes I am extremely happy.”

The Gills were determined to end their current goal drought and started the game at a fast tempo, only for the early blow to set them back.

Harris said: “I want us to score goals and I am the first person to say to the forwards we need more. The centre forwards were brilliant without the ball and with it we had moments, Mikael from seven yards he just couldn’t get the header on it, Kash could have scored and came close to getting in there a couple of times, forget everything else, it’s a battling point, 81 minutes with 10 men, whatever level you play it is a fantastic performance.”