Conor Masterson, who won the midweek encounter, now has his sights set on causing a cup shock this Saturday.
Masterson scored a late winner as Gillingham defeated AFC Wimbledon 1-0 in League 2 on Tuesday night, and they now face Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup Second Round at Priestfield.
Conor Masterson celebrates his winner for Gillingham in midweek Picture: @Julian_KPI
The 25-year-old defender said: “Our aim is to win the game, and if you win, you can get one of the big teams (in the next round); that is what we want to do.
“It’s a big occasion for the club; we will give everything, and it’s a derby. You don’t want to lose a derby!
“The win (against Wimbledon) was needed; they are a good side, and to beat them the way we did and keep a clean sheet is a big confidence booster for me and the rest of the team.”
The Gills needed a set-piece to see off the Dons, with Masterson getting the crucial touch to find the net off a free-kick headed into his path by Macauley Bonne.
Masterson said: “It wasn’t pretty, but after Saturday (losing 3-1 at Tranmere), we wanted to knuckle down, be solid and be hard to beat. We did that, and obviously, keeping a clean sheet and scoring, it was good!
“Macauley Bonne did really well. He got up, headed (the free-kick) down, and all I did was flick it in! Scoring in front of the Rainham End was a great feeling.
“Sometimes you have to win 1-0; not every game is going to be pretty with getting the ball down and playing. You have to win your battles, and it shows we are a good team.
“We have been up and down recently, but to go back out there and put in that performance, we are all buzzing in the changing room.”
Wimbledon started Tuesday night above the Gills on goal difference as the two teams were on the edge of the play-off places. Victory for Stephen Clemence’s side moved them into the top seven again.
“With the quality we have in the team, we should be there, and it’s good to be back,” said centre-half Masterson.
“Wimbledon are a good side, and in their attack, they had a few good players, and it was great to come away with three points.
“They pressed really well; they were a really mobile team; they put us under a lot of pressure; and they were quite direct as well. They were quick out wide; they fancied themselves, and we had to dig in.”
Masterson was back playing alongside fellow centre-back Max Ehmer, who was starting his first league game in more than a month.
The pair previously enjoyed a good relationship, but Ehmer’s been watching from the sidelines more often than not, with Shad Ogie and Masterson the preferred centre-half pairing.
A clean sheet on Tuesday is likely to give Masterson and Ehmer another chance to impress.
Masterson said: “I have played with Max a lot; we know each other well. Their two boys did really well; it was a tough test, especially [Ali] Al-Hamadi; he’s a good player, but to come away with a clean sheet was great.
“Everyone put their body on the line; we were solid, and communication was really good. We kind of went back to the basics.”
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