GARETH Ainsworth said he was always confident Wanderers would score the goal their efforts deserved as they shot down high flying Gillingham.

The game looked set to end goalless as Blues carved out a hatful of chances but they were denied by a combination of wayward finishing and a man of the match performance by Gills keeper Stuart Nelson.

But five minutes from time substitute Matt McClure netted the only goal of the game, just moments after he had shot wide when clean through with just the keeper to beat.

Ainsworth said: "I was really confident right to the end of the game we were going to score with the way we were playing, the way we were breaking. We were unfortunate not to be ahead earlier.

"Their keeper, deservedly, won man of the match because we could have had two or three goals, maybe even more. We were up for it, we were ready for it.

"I was a little bit worried because we hadn't played for 16 days. I thought we might be a bit rusty but those worries were soon put to bed when the lads came out and I saw the hunger they were showing. The passion, drive and energy from the boys was awesome, but that's a given now.

"Every single one of them was fantastic today and I'm so glad Matty scored. He missed that one chance - that's his one for the season, he won't miss one of them again. He showed great confidence to come back and score."

Blues had to withstand some heavy early pressure and weathered a storm towards the end after the game's only goal and Ainsworth hailed his side's defending.

He singled out full back Michael Harriman for particular praise as the QPR loanee marked Myles Weston - who has caused problems for Blues twice already this season - so effectively the winger was substituted.

Ainsworth said: "Michael Harriman was outstanding against Myles Weston, one of their best players. He kept him quiet all night and he eventually had to come off the pitch.

"Some of our last ditch defending was awesome. They never really broke us down with any really good moves but we had to defend really well. We'll win more than we'll lose if we keep playing like that."