‘Huge’ – Charlton matchwinner reflects on Gillingham win after it pulls Addicks clear of drop danger

Charlton’s midweek matchwinner Alex Gilbey has described their 1-0 victory over Gillingham as “huge” – and is determined to get on the scoresheet more in the League One run-in.

The attacking midfielder’s first-half goal saw the Addicks win for the first time in eight matches as they moved 10 points clear of the bottom four.

It was Gilbey’s first time on the scoresheet in the league since December and only his third of the campaign.

“We knew how badly we needed a performance and three points,” he told Charlton TV. “Thankfully we held on at the end and got the three points.

“I know my output this season hasn’t been good enough. I expect more of myself. I want to finish the season strong.

“I had a few chances before that and I was a bit frustrated with myself. As soon as I saw the keeper spill it and Jayden’s [follow up] get blocked I thought ‘I’m not missing this one’.

“It [the result] was huge. We didn’t want to be sucked in. We knew we had to start front foot and get our fans onside because the last few weeks we ain’t been good enough.

“In the last 20 minutes we came away from what we were doing in the first half and were a little bit sloppy at the end. But considering the run we’ve been on in the last few weeks there was a lot of heart from the lads. We held on to keep the clean sheet victory.

“Three points was a must. We can try to kick on and put a little run together.”

PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS AND KEITH GILLARD