Alfie Kilgour had to be patient for his first goal back at Bristol Rovers, but it was a special moment for the Academy graduate.
The centre-back, named as the Club captain in the summer after returning to the Gas, has come close to getting his name on the scoresheet, but finally got his chance to celebrate with the Gasheads on Saturday.
With the Pirates behind at half-time after a penalty from Ronan Hale's spot-kick, Kilgour scored moments after the break, rising highest to get on the end of Ryan de Havilland's cross before directing his effort in off the right post.
The defender was delighted that his goal could help contribute to three points in a professional display.
"It was a good ball [from De Havilland]. "The corner came in, and I got headlocked, so the headband was off, hair was everywhere. A great ball back in, and I just managed to get enough on it to head it back the way it had come and in off the post.
"Although the lad tried to clear it, he didn’t quite get there, and it was over the line. It was a good feeling, and it’s been a long time coming for me - I’ve been unlucky a few times. It was nice to get the goal and, ultimately, nice to get the three points and a massive result.
"I was looking at the ball for it just to creep over, and luckily it did just before the lad got there to try and clear it, and then I think I slipped trying to celebrate and all sorts.
"Growing up as an eight-year-old kid in the Academy, you dream of moments like that, and with my dad in the stands and family watching back home, it’s a proud moment and a good feeling.
"But, at that point, the job was still not done, so we had to kick on and try to get another goal, and Ellis Harrison, doing what he does, rode our luck a little bit and got the win. It was a good performance. It was professional. It wasn’t the nicest of afternoons, but definitely, if you’re not playing well, it’s a good sign if you’re still winning games and getting the performance in. It was professional, it was disciplined, and we got three points, so I’m happy."
With Rovers behind at half-time, Steve Evans took serious action and made four substitutions, with De Havilland, Luke Thomas, Yususf Akhamrich, and Kane Thompson-Sommers introduced.
Kilgour was pleased that the alterations made an immediate impact, with the centre-back feeling it gave the team a lift.
"It was four changes and a change of shape," said Kilgour. "You could tell straight away that it had a good impact, and it worked; credit to the subs coming on. He did his job, and it gave us all a lift; ultimately, we went on and got our win. We knew at half-time that if we got that next goal, we would get the win, and so we did.”
Kilgour's goal levelled the score and gave the Gas the momentum they needed to go and hunt for a second. Harrison, who replaced Joe Quigley in the starting side, finished clinically from close range after he and Luke Thomas had both seen efforts saved by Jake Turner.
It was Harrison's seventh goal of the season in all competitions, with Kilgour believing the striker deserved his goal for the effort he put in across the fixture.
"He had a chance in the first half with his header, and the keeper made a great save," said the centre-back. "Then, you get a little bit of luck, and he poaches it, comes back out from Luke Thomas’s shot, and he sticks it away. Credit to him and credit to his work ethic today - 90 minutes and he grafted his socks off for us as a team, so he did brilliantly.”
The Pirates have been tough to beat in recent weeks and have conceded five goals in their last seven matches, keeping two clean sheets. Saturday's clash against the Gills was another performance full of defensive resilience across the pitch, with Kilgour crediting the team's togetherness.
"We’re solid on the back, and we’re organised with Richie Smallwood in the midfield, two full-backs doing brilliantly, and the subs coming off," he said. "The gaffer always says before each game that he’s going to take everyone, and that it’s about having a good attitude, good heads, and knowing that we’re all in this together.
"There is a real togetherness around the training ground, as I’m sure you guys see. We’re in it together, and that winning mentality is definitely building. It’s a good feeling - it’s a privilege to lead the group, and to start picking up results is brilliant.”
