Quote Originally Posted by Bob the Insane
I was under the impression that the gates will close if the enemy is too close even if routers are trying to get back in...

However it will probably not close if any of the routing unit has made it back through the gate before the enemy get close.

As the attacker and have definately finished off routers trapped outside a closed gate more than once.

The control of the gates can be odd though, with them opening way too early for the approching unit and sometime note closing again if there is a unit defending behind the gate...
The AI seems to have the ability to lock routers out, but I'm not sure it works for me.

I have had several upleasant experiences with the enemy bum rushing my inexplicably open gate.

I don't really want manual control so much as a lock button like they had in Age of Empires. You just clicked on the gate, and clicked the lock button and your men would not path through that gate.