Gills take a point back to Priestfield following an excellent defensive display at promotion chasing Stockport.
Gillingham earned a well-deserved point as they frustrated Stockport in a 0-0 draw at Edgeley Park on Tuesday evening.
Stockport created a number of openings but came up against a stubborn Gills rearguard, with the visitors best chances falling to Tristan Abrahams and Tom Nichols respectively.
Neil Harris made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Harrogate as Dom Jefferies returned to the starting XI. Ethan Coleman and Tristan Abrahams made their full debuts, while Will Wright started at centre-back as Gillingham operated with a back five.
It was a quiet opening 15 minutes to the game as the hosts controlled possession but could not create an opportunity of note, as Gillingham did a good job defending their penalty area.
In the 30th minute, Gills had Glenn Morris to thank as he denied Isaac Oloafe a tap-in. Ryan Rydel played a powerful ball towards the six-yard box, which Morris had to be alert for, as he did brilliantly to gather the ball with Oloafe waiting to slot the ball into an empty net.
Stockport had a penalty appeal in the 38th minute. Kyle Knoyle made his way into the area and was brought down by a challenge from David Tutonda. Despite the appeals, it was clear that Tutonda did an excellent job in getting to the ball first.
In the 43rd minute, Oloafe hit the crossbar. Rydel’s touch played the ball back to the forward, who curled a first-time effort towards the top corner. Fortunately, the ball hit the bar before going out for a goal kick, with Morris at full stretch.
HALF-TIME: Stockport County 0-0 Gillingham
Knoyle hit the post in the 58th minute. Chris Hussey curled a cross from the left deep into the Gillingham penalty area, and Knoyle rose highest to loop a header goalward. It was seemingly going wide of the goal but hit the base of the post before trickling out for a goal kick.
In the 63rd minute, sub Myles Hippolyte had a huge opportunity for Stockport. A corner into the box was pushed away by Morris before the ball was passed to Hippolyte, who tried to direct his shot towards the far corner. However, it did not make it to the goal as two Gillingham players were quick to react and put their bodies on the line to block the effort.
Wright made a goal-saving block to keep the score level with ten minutes remaining. A cross into the box bounced favourably for Stretton to strike it first time on the half-volley. It appeared that it was going to hit the target, but Wright got across and threw himself in front of the effort.
In the 87th minute, Morris made an incredible save to deny Stretton. A ball was dinked into the Gillingham penalty area towards the Stockport sub, who was unmarked. He had to stretch to get to the ball as he sent it goalward. The 21-year-old’s effort went towards the far corner, but Morris did brilliantly to quickly react to get down and get a solid hand on the ball to keep it out before Conor Masterson cleared for a throw-in.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Paddy Madden headed Hussey’s free-kick from the left over the crossbar.
FULL-TIME: Stockport County 0-0 Gillingham
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Byrne, Horsfall, Hussey, Knoyle, Collar, Sarcevic (Stretton 77’), Davenport (Croasdale 46’), Rydel (Hippolyte 46’), Wooton, Olaofe (Madden 46’)
Unused Substitutes: Jaros, Wright, Camps
Gillingham: Morris, Alexander, Wright, Ehmer, Masterson, Tutonda, Dieng (Williams 75’), Coleman, Jefferies (Lapslie 75’), Nichols (Hawkins 74’), Abrahams (MacDonald 76’)
Unused Substitutes: Turner, O’Brien
Referee: Ben Toner
Attendance: 8168