Johnson salutes match-winning duo

CELEBRATON . . . for goalscorer Gary Harkins (number 30) and his Athletic team-mates.

ATHLETIC got the best out of two mercurial performers to grind out a third home win in five matches at Boundary Park.

A first-half tactical switch to push Gary Harkins wide on the left flank worked well for boss Lee Johnson, who watched with delight as the Scot rifled in a powerful left-footed drive from a narrow angle.

At the other end, goalkeeper Mark Oxley – at fault for the match-winner at MK Dons a week earlier – made a series of terrific saves, none more so than the last-gasp low stop from Gills substitute Cody McDonald.

“We knew it would be tough,” said Johnson. “They came here in a 4-5-1 formation to go for the draw.

“A few teams have done that this year and it was a tight, tense performance. The lads knew how important it was.

“Mark Oxley, in my opinion, was man of the match. Even though Gary Harkins won it with a bit of individual brilliance, Oxley really proved his worth. It was a good save at the end. With 15 seconds to go, I was disappointed they even got down to that end. But it was a good save and he deserved it.

“It is very important through a season that your goalkeeper earns you points. He has had two or three games like that and we hope for a few more.”

On a worsening playing surface, Athletic couldn’t get their passing game functioning and Gillingham gave as good as they got.

Johnson acknowledged it wasn’t the prettiest of clashes: “It was a scrappy and tough game for both sides. It was edgy. “I was pleased for the lads keeping a clean sheet and the goalkeeper is obviously a big part of that.”