Gaffer gives his thoughts after the draw against The Gills
Shrewsbury Town Manager Paul Hurst felt Town’s point at Gillingham was hard-earnt as they drew 1-1 in Kent.Gillingham took the lead just before half-time, but Town hit back well in the second half and equalised through Alex Rodman.
Town had chances to win it late on, but Hurst was pleased with what could prove a decent away point.
“I think it’s a good point in a game of two halves”, Paul told the Press.
“First half we started okay but the longer it went I just felt we didn’t retain the ball well enough at the top end of the pitch and as a result were put under bits of pressure.
“It was windy, it was blustery, the pitch was a bit bobbly and it wasn’t the perfect conditions to have a game of football in and I think with the goal for them it looks like the wind has just taken the ball a bit further and then gone through to their lad who, for a centre half, has finished it extremely well.
“Second half we came out and I thought we were the best team for large parts, albeit that at the end they’ve had one that’s hit the post. But, I thought we could have got ourselves in front in the period where I felt we were the dominant team.
Alex Rodman missed a great chance just after half time when his effort from 4 yards struck the post, but he made up for by scoring his first Town goal on 63 minutes.
“I knew when Tyler (Roberts) fired across that it was a good chance for us but I had my view obstructed and then saw that it had hit the post”, said Hurst.
“He should have scored, I’m pretty certain of that, but he got in at the back post again and that is like a striker’s goal.
“We did apply pressure at the start of the second period. We were more on the front foot and physically we did better.
“I thought for parts of that first half we were second best in terms of physical battles and tussles and that’s not something that I’m happy to say. Thankfully second half the lads put that right and we think it was certainly a deserved point.”
Louis Dodds could have sealed it late on as he blazed over the bar from close range, but Paul was pleased with the characted shown in the second half.
“It wasn’t the most blatantly easy chance you will get, but at the same time, someone with Louis’ quality, you are hoping will just nestle it into the net because if he hits it well then it’s a difficult save for the ‘keeper,” said Paul.
“But, overall I’m pleased with the character shown. It was a test of character because we were a goal behind, on a cold, blustery, horrible day and if they’d chosen to, it would have been easy to say it wasn’t for us, but they did role their sleeves up and have a go second half.
“We’ve just got to learn our lesson a bit that we have to start better, be up for all the game because, although we started well, I thought we were second best in the first half.”