Gillingham FC

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• Founded:1893
• Manager:Andy Hessenthaler

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Stalemate satisfies Stimson

08 May 2009 - 11:35:17

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Gillingham boss Mark Stimson praised his side's defensive solidity after they held Rochdale to a goalless draw in a tight League Two play-off semi-final first leg clash at Spotland.

Stimson was particularly pleased with the way his side dealt with Dale's experienced striker Lee Thorpe.

The former Grays Athletic boss said: "Thorpe's a threat because he's experienced but Garry Richards and Simon King both stood up to him and I think he only got one free header all evening.

"You have to defend well as a team. We didn't do that in the first half of the season and we got a couple of hidings but we've changed things around, we've changed personnel and now the guys are working harder to defend.

"You have to do that, especially when you play top sides. And also on the counter, with the pace we've got, we do look a threat.

"We've not been pinning teams in the final third of late but it's about results. I'm not used to 1-0s but I'd take one of them on Sunday."