Salford boss Karl Robinson is not giving up on making the Sky Bet League Two play-offs despite their 2-2 draw with Gillingham leaving them seven points adrift.
The Ammies battled back after a second-minute setback when Elliott Nevitt put the Gills ahead, responding through Cole Stockton and Kelly N’Mai.
Remeao Hutton then made it 2-2 and although Salford shaded the chances for the remainder of the game, they could not find a winner while seventh-placed Grimsby defeated struggling Morecambe.
“We’re still challenging for them (the play-offs),” said Robinson. “The points tally is still within reach with six games to go now and we’ve come such a long way.
“Don’t forget, it’s not like we’ve paid any money for this team, this is a completely ‘free team’ since I’ve been in the building and all we’ve done is sell our best players in the transfer windows, but we’ve managed to create a greater market value team on the pitch.
“It shows you that we have incredible value for the players we have and I still feel anything is possible. I can’t see why we can’t go on a massive run between now and the end of the season.
“I thought we were the better team today, if you take the first goal away which was human error by ourselves. We got ourselves 2-1 ahead with two very well-worked goals and then Luke Garbutt compounded his mistake by allowing (Hutton) back inside and it was a great finish by the lad putting it in the top corner.
“I thought from then on, there was only one team that was going to win the game.”
Gills manager Gareth Ainsworth was pleased to continue his unbeaten run since coming in as manager for the Kent-based side.
He praised the work-rate of his defensive players as his reign at the club continued with a third successive draw – their fifth in a row overall.
Ainsworth said: “Another great second-half performance of defensive resilience and some cracking goals in the game – it was definitely one for the neutrals today.
“I thought there was a lack of quality at times, from both teams. In the second half we didn’t create much and they didn’t create much either. Neither team got it second half and all the damage was done in the first half.
“I’m pleased to take a point away from home, I always say that. Three draws is still decent, we’re unbeaten and I’m pleased that I’ve seen some decent defensive resolution from the back three, the wing-backs and the midfielders in front of them.
“We knew it would be a tough game because they’ve got some really good individuals, have Salford, but my boys stood up well in the second half.”
