Debutant Marquis wins plaudits

Mark Hessenthaler revealed he was about to haul John Marquis off moments before he equalised in Gillingham's 3-1 win over Coventry.

Gillingham fell behind to Gary Madine's penalty, but fought back with goals in the final eight minutes from Marquis, Cody McDonald and Jermaine McGlashan. Hessenthaler said: "John Marquis worked so hard, but I was wondering if I shouldn't bring Luke (Norris) on. "Just as I said that he popped up with the goal. He got his rewards, if anyone deserved a goal it was John and I am delighted for him. "Jermaine McGlashan got on the ball a lot and as soon as he starts running at players there are going to be chances, so I thought he did fantastically for the penalty. "But what I am really pleased about is the third goal, he came on and really made the difference. "This period has not been easy but, in a sense, having the four of us has helped the club. "For me I think the chairman is doing right taking his time finding the right person for this football club." The visitors took the lead after 35 minutes after Coventry midfielder Danny Swanson's run from the right flank was halted clumsily by Josh Pritchard and Madine sent U's goalkeeper Stuart Nelson the wrong way from the resulting penalty. Marquis levelled in the 82nd minute as Bradley Dack's close-range shot was fumbled by Coventry goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, leaving the striker, on loan from Millwall, to tap in the equaliser. Former Sky Blue McDonald smashed his penalty into the top corner of Allsop's goal after Ryan Haynes had brought down substitute McGlashan. And the winger was on hand to ensure the points, firing across Allsop into the top corner in the 94th minute. Coventry manager Steven Pressley was aggrieved at the penalty award that saw his side fall behind. He said: "It was a terrific tackle, the ball changes direction completely. It was a wonderful last-ditch tackle from Ryan Haynes and it was never a penalty. "I am extremely disappointed and numb after that, especially after the performance that we put in. "In the first half I thought that we were very positive, dominating the game and deserved leaders at half-time. "The last 10 or 15 minutes were just unacceptable, we have to be better than that, you have to see this type of game out with a strong mentality and we didn't show that, that is what disappoints me most. "I thought that many Gillingham chances were created by our own wrong-doing. "I accept that we cannot lose this kind of game but the reality is we are down in the danger area and we need to react quickly."