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Gillingham's win over Cambridge United improves League 1 survival hopes; Morecambe away up next for Neil Harris' team

Neil Harris won’t be getting carried away by the start he’s made as Gillingham manager.

Back-to-back wins at Priestfield have come either side of a promising weekend showing at promotion-chasing Ipswich, a game they lost 1-0 despite being the better side.

Captain Stuart O'Keefe gets up for the ball as Gillingham beat Cambridge United on Tuesday Picture: Barry Goodwin
Captain Stuart O'Keefe gets up for the ball as Gillingham beat Cambridge United on Tuesday Picture: Barry Goodwin

Harris took over with the Gills 10 points from safety in League 1 and within three games he has already halved that deficit.

It’s just the start fans were hoping for under the new boss and they were singing his name from the stands on Tuesday night after a 1-0 win over Cambridge United.

But Harris is keeping it cool, saying: “There are no promises. We have had two 1-0 victories (at Priestfield) and the best performance was against Ipswich. We should have won that game.

“All we can do is take care of our own business.

"We have to make sure we work as hard as we can and we are learning all the time, the players are learning, we are trying to keep people fit, game after game.

"Next week will be great (with no midweek fixture) to see some of the players, younger players who I haven’t seen on the pitch in anything other than a five versus five. I am learning about the players all the time.

“We are closing the gap on the other teams but I didn’t know what the scores were walking off (on Tuesday) and that wasn’t my concern. I need to make sure my players are the best prepared and in the best possible shape before and after games. If we keep winning games and putting in performances like we have then we will pick up points.”

With 25 points on the board, the Gills are halfway towards the magic 50, which is usually enough to survive. They have 15 games left to to it, still a big ask.

It’s a long trek north this Saturday as the Gills head to Morecambe, a side who are also inside the relegation zone, four points and a place better off than Harris’ men.

Fans are already believing that Harris could be the man to achieve the great escape for the Gills.

Looking to the weekend, Harris was thinking of those supporters and said: “To the fans who are going to travel, I am sure there will be more fans going now than there has been at previous games as they are now seeing a team that represents their football club. I thank them for going in advance and hope they get there safe, then make some noise.”

The fans were singing “super Neil Harris” from the Rainham End on Tuesday night.

“It is phenomenal,” said the manager. “I have only been here a week. That is what we want to build. It is not about me, it is the team, but it was their way of supporting me to support the team and it is so much appreciated by me and the staff and the owner and my family.

“We just want to build on what we are doing and make people happy.”

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