Edinburgh relishes home comforts

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John Marquis came off the bench to curl home the winner in a 1-0 victory that puts a big dent in Bradford’s play-off ambitions.

The Gills were made to sweat for the victory though, particularly in the first half when Jon Stead and James Hanson dominated for the visitors but failed to take the lead.

After ringing the changes in the second half, Edinburgh was pleased to continue the Gills’ late season revival since he took over.

“All in all against a tough Bradford side, to win 1-0 and get that first win at home for a long period of time is very pleasing,” he said.

“I’m delighted John Marquis has stepped up and scored the goal but a lot of the hard work had been done to stretch the game and contain them.

“All in all it was a very good team performance. It was contrasting.

“In the first half there were bodies on the line with a lot of balls into the box and in the second half we grew into it and started to impose ourselves.

“You hope that when substitutes come on they make an impact.

“I’m pleased for John, it was a good finish. He was unlucky with the second one that was headed off the line.

“I think we could have had one or two more if decisions had been better in the final third.”

Meanwhile, for Phil Parkinson and Bradford the play-offs appear a distant hope, not that the manager is throwing in the towel just yet.

“It’s never over until it’s over so we’ll keep going until the referee blows his whistle on the last day of the season,” said Parkinson.

“We’ve completely dominated for 45 minutes and not taken our chances.

“Those dividing lines in football are tight. We just need to take one of those chances, and with the way we played in the first half was worthy of a two or three-goal lead.

“In the second half Gillingham lifted it and made the subs. That gave them a lift and we didn’t play as well.

“They weren’t going to let us dictate as we did in the first period.

“The motivation of the team was spot on, I couldn’t have asked for more.

“We’ve had efforts cleared off the line and their keeper has made some terrific saves.

“It was frustrating to come in at half-time at 0-0. When you have had so many good chances, we needed to take one.

“But equally, it was about the second period. I still fancied us and we started the half well.

“I can’t fault the lads for our effort, but unfortunately we didn’t take our chances.”