GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally today spoke of his respect and sympathy for under-pressure Ipswich counterpart David Sheepshanks.Scally described Sheepshanks as "a role model chairman of a role model club that has been very unfortunate".

By Dave Allard

GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally today spoke of his respect and sympathy for under-pressure Ipswich counterpart David Sheepshanks.

Scally described Sheepshanks as "a role model chairman of a role model club that has been very unfortunate".

Gills' owner Scally saw his Kent outfit beaten 3-1 by in-administration Town at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday. He revealed: "I told David after the game that I hope his team go up to the Premiership again and I really meant it.

"What has happened at Ipswich could happen anywhere. So much was achieved and then it backfired after relegation with the overall financial state of the game in general contributing greatly to the situation they're in now.

"It's sad to see Ipswich Town facing these problems and it's particularly disappointing for me as David is someone I respect greatly for what he has done for the game overall and not just his club.

"I'm so disappointed that Ipswich are in the difficulties they are now.

"What has been achieved and built up at Portman Road was for so long an example to be admired by any club anywhere.

"I regard David as a good friend and I shook his hand at the end of a game in which his team did very well, wishing him all the best.

"Ipswich have still got some way to go to make the play-offs and go on from there.

"I think the club and David Sheepshanks deserve a change of luck and I'll be delighted if it happens. He deserves every support and I hope he gets it."

Goals from Tommy Miller, Pablo Counago and Marcus Bent saw the seventh-placed Blues storm to victory after going behind to a Paul Smith opener.

With sixth-placed Wolves without a game, Joe Royle's side closed the gap on the Molineux men to two points.

Town's victory was achieved without the services of skipper and midfield man Matt Holland who on European Championship qualifying duty for the Republic of Ireland for their 2-1 victory in Georgia.

It was the first Nationwide League match Holland had missed for the Blues since his arrival from Bournemouth in the summer of 1997.

Town were without the services of Danish central defender Thomas Gaardsoe from early on in Saturday's game. He came off with a groin injury.