Mixed feelings for Brackley boss Wilkin after FA Cup heroics

Saints earned another replay against the Sky Bet League One outfit following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at the Priestfield Stadium, where Wilkin’s side raced into a 2-0 lead through Alex Gudger and James Armson.

But Frank Nouble bagged a brace before the break to level things up.

Saints had the better chances in the second half but now face a replay at St James’ Park where they will be hoping to get the job done at the second attempt, just as they did against Gillingham in November, 2013.

Wilkin said: “There are all sorts of emotions going through my mind but you have to give Gillingham credit, they’ve dragged themselves back into the game. But we could have won it in the second half.”

“It’s right up there with some of my managerial highlights, their fans applauded us off at the end which was nice to see.

“Now it makes for a very interesting replay but we’re not getting carried away.

“After getting the first goal we had two or three good chances to put the game to bed.

“We got a great second goal but we weren’t able to keep that two-goal margin for long enough and let them right back into it.

“We weren’t able to manage the game well enough after going 2-0 up.

“If we could have got to half-time with a clean sheet that would have made it awkward for Gillingham.

“After they equalised we were under a bit of a barrage going into half-time but the players were fantastic in the second half.

“At 2-1 and then 2-2, Gillingham had their tails were up but we showed great resolve and showed a lot of character.”