Stimson hails 'outstanding' win

Stimson was delighted by his side's fight back at Edgeley Park

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has described his side's 2-1 victory at Stockport in their FA Cup second round replay as "absolutely outstanding".

An Andy Barcham brace sealed the win for the Gills and sets up a third round tie with Aston Villa at Priestfield.

Stimson told BBC Radio Kent: "The players gave everything I asked from them and more. It was just outstanding.

"The players have worked their socks off to get through for a massive game against Aston Villa at home."

He added: "They deserve every single credit. I'm just here to pick the team and ask the boys to go and play.

"I'd seen it coming because we're not a bad side."

It felt like Gills are back and we're back with a vengeance

Gills chairman Paul Scally

Stephen Gleeson put the hosts in front against the run of play. But Barcham, who is on loan from Tottenham, levelled from Simeon Jackson's pass, and then grabbed the eventual winner minutes later.

Captain Barry Fuller said: "I don't think we can describe it in words. We came here and knew it was going to be a tough game.

"I think in the first half we were awesome and it's the best we've been this season.

"We showed we could do it against a team who are high in their league and doing really well.

"At half-time we were 2-1 up and we just thought of Villa, we want it, and we looked like we wanted it more than them.

"We got it and the boys are just buzzing now."

Chairman Paul Scally described the win as very special.

He said: "It felt like Gills are back and we're back with a vengeance.

"It was a wonderful journey home for everyone who went up there and just a great performance by a team that played some fabulous football against a very good Stockport side."

Gillingham can expect to earn up to �250,000 from the Villa game which will be televised on 4 January.

The Medway side were relegated to League Two at the end of last season and Scally said the money would help their financial situation.

"It's been a very tough four years," he said. "The money obviously will help, and to get Aston Villa back to Priestfield is going to be fantastic for the supporters and the players as well."

Gary Liptrott, chairman of the Independent Supporters Club, is already predicting they can pull off an even bigger cup shock against Villa.

"I don't see why not," he said. "We'll go into the game on a real high with the way we're playing at the moment and you can just see another shock on the cards."