New Ipswich Town manager Paul Cook accepts Gillingham were the better team

Paul Cook thought the hosts deserved to take the spoils as Ipswich Town fell to a 3-1 defeat at Gillingham yesterday in what was his first game in charge at the club, writes Jacob Henderson.

Gills made a bright start with a goal inside seven minutes before Luke Chambers, who entered the top 10 all-time appearance makers list for Town at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, headed in for the visitors with 25 minutes remaining.

Eight minutes later Vadaine Oliver restored the home side's advantage and with 10 left to play he notched his second with a right-footed strike.

The result from Town's 1pm kick-off ended a three game winning streak and saw them drop a place in the Sky Bet League One table to seventh, following yesterday afternoon's results. But they remain two points adrift of sixth place with a game in hand – Portsmouth losing 4-1 at relegation-threatened Northampton Town.

Cook, who made one enforced change from Tuesday’s away win at Accrington, with Josh Harrop replacing Alan Judge who missed the game due to a family bereavement, told iFollow Ipswich: "It's very disappointing to say the least.

"Credit to Gillingham because I thought it was a strong performance from them. The biggest credit I can give to us is that we dragged ourselves back into the game but then we gave poor goals away.

"It's a disappointing afternoon, for myself included because you want to win your first game in charge, but there is a lot of football left to play this season.

"Almost 50 per cent of Gillingham's goals come from set pieces and we gave away a cheap free-kick early on and were punished.

"We'll draw a line under things because we have another game on Tuesday. You don't get time to think in this league and we can't make excuses. If you make excuses you won't get where you want to be. We'll prepare for Lincoln and we look forward to the game."

Although the pair have only worked together for five days after Cook arrived at Playford Road on Tuesday, the Town boss praised Chambers on his landmark achievement for the club this afternoon.

"Massive credit to Chambo," Cook added.

"Players have long careers for two reasons and that's because they're good and they look after themselves.

"It would have been a lot better for him if his goal had earned us something but Chambo has been involved in plenty of wins for Town and hopefully there will be more."

Chambers said: "The history of the club is unbelievable so I'm very proud.

"It's an honour to wear the shirt and the captain's armband. I'll always give my best.

"I've been here for a long time and I still want to achieve something.

"I'd have liked to have reached it in a win, but it is still a proud moment for me personally."

Reflecting on the game and the result, he said Town must remain positive in the push for promotion.

"Today wasn't the level we have been playing at," he said.

"The manner of the defeat made things frustrating. They're a dangerous team and we let them play the way they wanted to.

"When we got the goal I thought we would solidify and be the more likely team to win it. We need to stop giving away early goals as well.

"We can't get too down because things have been going well and we have to be ready for another tough game on Tuesday. We'll srtick at it and remain positive and confident."

The Blues will be aiming to bounce back when they host third-placed Lincoln City at Portman Road on Tuesday (7pm).

Michael Appleton's Imps got back to winning ways yesterday with a 3-0 success at home to Crewe Alexandra.

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