Clough buoyed by late rally

Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough paid tribute to his team after watching them score two late goals to beat Gillingham 2-1.

Despitre dominating the game from start to finish, United fell behind when Luke Norris fired home with only six minutes remaining. But the hosts snatched the points when Michael Higdon and Jamie Murphy pounced during the final three minutes. Clough said: "That was the very least we deserved. We had so many shots and so many chances it was untrue. "When they scored we thought it was going to be one of those days. But, credit to these lads, they keep on going right until the end and they got their reward for that out there." Clough added: "I feel sorry for Peter Taylor because, irrespective of how the game went, I know how much it hurts to lose late like that. It's happened to us as a staff before and it's not nice, no matter how the game has gone." Norris converted a superb 84th-minute finish to put the Gills in front. But fellow substitute Higdon drew United level when he slid in to meet Craig Alcock's cross three minutes later, and Murphy found the back of the net with only seconds remaining to send the home crowd wild. "We probably passed the ball at little bit too much at times but we improved when we started moving it quicker," added Clough. "That's when we went through the gears. "We've got some momentum going now and, in the context of the competition as a whole, it's important we try and keep that going. "That can carry you through in certain situations. Especially like the one here." Gills boss Taylor reckons his side were beaten by the promotion favourites. He said: "The lads are so disappointed they didn't take anything from the game. But I don't think they can be disappointed with the performance. "Yes, they had far more chances than us. Yes, they came close to scoring on numerous occasions but we dug in and that's what you have to do when you come to Sheffield United because they are the favourites for promotion. "We had a game plan and we stuck to it. It very nearly worked when we went in front too. Of course, you are never happy when you concede so late on but, unfortunately, that's football. I actually think the lads can take a lot away with them from this game despite the result. "Moving forward, to know that we've come here and come so close should give them confidence. This isn't a ground where I think anyone is going to find it easy to play. "But we showed character out there, we stuck together and we dug in which will serve us well in the future."