Connor Ogilvie might have missed his little sister's birthday bash last Saturday – but at least he gave her an extra reason to celebrate.

A rare goal from the defender – and an impressive one too – landed the Gills three points in the dying minutes of the game against Sunderland at Priestfield.

With his family celebrating elsewhere, Ogilvie had to make do with being mobbed by his team-mates and a few fans from the Rainham End.

He said: “To score at Priestfield, in front of the Rainham End with the boys all joining in, made it a special moment.

“I managed to stay on my feet – just about – even though I had a few people on top of me, but it was amazing!

"I didn’t have chance to do much of a celebration, I don’t get much practice! I just ran and got bombarded by everyone.

“I called my sister afterwards and they had seen what was happening on twitter. That one was for her, but I did get her a present as well.

"It was her 21st so it was a big one to miss but she knows the deal and she had a good time anyway.”

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It was Ogilvie’s third goal for the Gills and his best yet, taking the ball down on his thigh before volleying home into the top corner to defeat the Mackems.

“To score an 89th-minute winner doesn’t get much better,” he said, describing the moment he lit up Priestfield.

“It was very crowded inside the box but after a touch it fell perfectly for my left foot and I thought, ‘yeah, I have to take this’ and thankfully it went in. I am always going to have a go if I see the ball drop. It paid off.

“I can’t think of a better goal that I have scored and we got another clean sheet, too, so it was a perfect one for me.”

Ogilvie is back playing left-back for the Gills and has played a key role in helping them pick up plenty of clean sheets. He’s started every game this season since missing the opening two.

“I am playing, we’re getting results and I am enjoying it,” said the former Spurs defender.

“I think the fans can see the desire form everyone, it is going well. We have a tight-knit group and everyone fights for each other.

"It is paying off at the moment and hopefully we can carry that on. There is no reason why we can’t go to Fleetwood on Saturday and carry on the good form we’ve got.”

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