Glenn Morris’ sensational late save ensured Gillingham came away from Brunton Park with a point as they were held to a goalless draw against Carlisle United, having been denied a penalty in the second half when in charge of proceedings.
Stephen Wearne’s header towards the left corner seemed as if it was going to nestle into the back of the net in the last minute of normal time until Morris came diving across to claw it around the post.
Elliott Nevitt was at the heart of the action, with his first-time strike in the first half cannoning off the underside of the crossbar and onto the line before bouncing out and into the hands of Gabe Breeze.
The striker had the aforementioned penalty appeal during the second half when he met Joe Gbode’s through ball and proceeded to prod it beyond Breeze before being taken down inside the box. However, the referee felt there was not enough contact to award the spot kick.
John Coleman made one change to the starting XI that drew with Crewe Alexandra, as Gbode returned to the line-up, replacing Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who dropped to the bench.
Breeze did well in stopping Andy Smith in the fifth minute. Armani Little’s free-kick from the halfway line went over the top of the Carlisle defence, finding Smith, who had timed his run around the back, latching onto the ball. Unfortunately, the Hull loanee’s first touch took it into the path of Breeze, who had come to claim the ball. He bravely got there ahead of the defender.
There was a moment of panic as Kadeem Harris made his way into the penalty area before sending a low cross towards the six-yard box. Glenn Morris got a hand on the ball to push it away. Fortunately, there was nobody in the vicinity to slot home from close range as Gillingham cleared their lines.
Remeao Hutton had a half-chance on 15 minutes. Elliott Nevitt held the ball up, before playing it out wide to Max Clark. His cross into the box went out to an unmarked Hutton, who shot into the side netting at the near post.
In the 20th minute, the visitors were inches away from taking the lead. Gbode’s cross from the right was dropped by Breeze, with the loose ball coming out to Nevitt, who thumped goalward. His strike cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and onto the line before it bounced out and into the grateful hands of the Carlisle goalkeeper.
Gills continued to create chances as Robbie McKenzie tested Breeze next. Sam Gale’s sliding challenge retained possession inside the Carlisle penalty area before the ball was played out to Hutton, who curled a cross towards the back. McKenzie had peeled off, finding himself unmarked, directing a diving header goalward. The attempt was at the near post but Breeze pulled off a save with his knees.
Nevitt and Clark produced a vital block to keep the game goalless. Elliot Embleton’s cross into the penalty area dropped to Sam Lavelle, who eventually got a shot away from around eight yards out. Nevitt and Clark were quick to react, getting in the way of the attempt to send it over the crossbar.
Matthew Dennis had a great opportunity on the stroke of half-time. Callum Whelan lofted the ball into the box for Dennis, who rose the highest to head goalward. However, he got underneath the ball, sending it well over the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 0-0 Gillingham
Bradley Dack was introduced at half-time, replacing Liverpool loanee Dominic Corness.
Dennis missed a massive chance after Embleton slipped the ball through to the unmarked forward in the box. Dennis took the ball out of his feet before shooting, with his attempt going wide of the target.
The ball somehow failed to cross the line at the other end shortly after with McKenzie and Gbode linking up down the right before the latter delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. There was a mix-up between two Carlisle defenders, which took the ball past Breeze. It trickled onto the line before stopping at the perfect time, allowing a home player to take it off the line before they cleared the danger.
There was a big handball appeal when Breeze failed to claim Hutton’s long throw into the box. The ball bounced around and off a Carlisle player before the keeper eventually gathered. A couple of Gillingham players were calling for a handball, but the referee saw it differently, allowing the game to continue.
Both goalkeepers were forced into action in the 56th minute. Breeze pulled off a routine stop when Gbode’s shot from 20 yards went straight at the goalkeeper.
Down at the other end, Dennis did well to take the ball from the left wing before cutting inside onto his right foot and shooting, forcing Morris into a routine save as he got down to gather comfortably.
The visitors had another big penalty appeal when Gbode played Nevitt through on goal. The striker prodded the ball beyond the oncoming Breeze before seemingly being brought down by the Carlisle goalkeeper. However, the referee and his assistant appeared adamant that there was not enough contact to award a spot kick.
Gills continued to push for the opener when Gbode tried his luck from a little over 20 yards, with his effort taking a deflection on its way to the goal, making it an easier save for Breeze, who had to get down to his left to gather.
Dennis had another great chance when Will Patching’s cross dropped to him. Fortunately, it took a slight touch off the head of a Gillingham defender, which was enough to put him off as it bounced off Dennis and into Morris' gloves.
John Coleman made a second change, introducing Oli Hawkins for Gbode.
Harris stung the palms of Morris, as the hosts broke forward on the counter. It was played into a central position for Harris, who opted to shoot from 25 yards. His shot had plenty of power, but it was straight at Morris as he palmed it down to himself before gathering.
As the game headed into the closing stages, it started to stretch as Joe Hugill forced Morris into a save. The striker was slipped through into the penalty area, prodding it goalward. However, he was denied by the oncoming Gillingham goalkeeper.
Morris produced a sensational save to keep out Stephen Wearne’s header in the final moments of regulation time. A cross from the left found Wearne, who headed towards the left corner of the goal. It appeared to be heading for the back of the net until Morris somehow clawed it around the post for a corner, which came to nothing.
Nelon Khumbeni came on in the first minute of stoppage time, replacing Nevitt.
The game continued to be end-to-end until the final seconds, as neither side could find the all-important winner.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 0-0 Gillingham
Carlisle United: Breeze, Davies (Ellis 65’), Thomas, Lavelle, Harper, Guy (Patching 64’), Whelan, Bevan (Scott 64’), Embleton (Wearne 74’), Harris, Dennis (Hugill 74’)
Unused Substitutes: Lewis, Hayden
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Smith, Ehmer, Gale, Clark, Little, McKenzie, Corness (Dack 46’), Nevitt (Khumbeni 90+1’), Gbode (Hawkins 74’)
Unused Substitutes: Turner, Nolan, Clarke, Morgan
Referee: Scott Jackson
Attendance: 6976 (402 Gillingham supporters)
