Glenn Morris was in inspired form, as he made two fantastic saves during the first half to ensure Gillingham drew 0-0 with table-topping Walsall at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The pick of the saves was towards the end of the first 45, as he somehow managed to claw Jamille Matt’s header from around six yards out of the goal.
John Coleman made one change to the starting XI that drew 1-1 at Accrington Stanley last Saturday, with Elliott Nevitt returning to the side. Oli Hawkins dropped to the bench.
Euan Williams was recalled to the matchday squad, while Jacob Wakeling and Jonny Williams were also named among the substitutes.
The hosts came close in the early stages. Joe Gbode won a free-kick over 20 yards from the goal, which Armani Little took. The midfielder directed his attempt towards the bottom left corner, which Sam Hornby got down to push away from the goal. Max Clark was first to the rebound, sending his first-time attempt over the crossbar.
Glenn Morris did superbly to prevent Walsall from taking the lead in the 19th minute. Albert Adomah got free down the left-hand side before squaring the ball to an unmarked Jamille Matt inside the penalty area. The forward controlled the ball before shooting but was met by the oncoming Morris, who stood his ground to make the save.
The rebound came out to Jamie Jellis, who blasted goalward. However, Morris was on hand once again to make a strong save with his chest before the ball eventually went out of play for a goal-kick.
Conor Masterson had the ball in the back of the net after meeting Max Clark’s free-kick with a header across the goal and into the far corner. However, the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul that the defender had made on his marker.
Shortly before half-time, Morris made a sensational save to deny Matt. Nathan Asiimwe curled a cross into the penalty area from the right, which found the towering Matt around the six-yard box. The forward headed it down towards the bottom left corner, but the Gillingham goalkeeper did superbly to get down and claw it away from the goal.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Walsall
Robbie McKenzie’s low drive forced Hornby into action during the opening stages of the second period. The midfielder was afforded the time and space to set himself before shooting, sending his effort towards the near post. It took Hornby two attempts to gather it after failing to keep hold of it initially.
The hosts had a good half-chance after Masterson kept Clark’s free-kick alive on 62 minutes. The central defender cut it back to McKenzie, who curled the ball into the penalty area for Gbode, who headed across the face of the goal. Unfortunately, no one was on hand to make the definitive touch to put the ball into the back of the net.
Gills made their first change in the 71st minute, as Jonny Williams replaced Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
Andy Smith was on hand to bravely block Evan Weirs’ powerful strike with 15 minutes remaining. A cross into the box was initially headed clear by Smith, with the ball falling to Weir just inside the penalty area. He struck it first time, sending a crushing strike goalward. However, the Hull City loanee stood his ground to block the ball before the hosts dealt with the impending danger.
McKenzie saw his thumping strike blocked on 78 minutes. Gillingham won a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area after Nevitt was fouled following some fine footwork. Little laid the ball off for McKenzie to thunder a shot towards the goal, but it was well blocked by a crowd of Walsall players.
On 84 minutes, Wakeling replaced Gbode and was soon right into the action. He used his pace to get away down the right side before playing a low ball into the penalty area. It found Nevitt, who ran onto the ball before shooting first time. However, Hornby was equal to it, reacting quickly to keep the attempt out.
Harry Williams had a great chance in the third of nine stoppage time minutes. The defender peeled away from his marker to meet Alfie Chang’s corner directed towards the penalty spot. Williams did well to guide it goalward first time but could not keep it down as it cleared the crossbar for a huge let-off for the hosts.
There were hearts in mouths moments later as a free-kick curled into the penalty area from the right touchline by a Walsall player nearly found its way into the back of the net. It was flicked towards the back post by a Gills player before Sam Gale, who was backtracking, accidentally sent it towards his own goal. Fortunately, Morris was alert to get down and gather the loose ball.
Gale provided a sensational block moments later. The ball dropped to Weir on the edge of the penalty area, who smashed goalward first time. The academy graduate blocked the attempt with his face before bravely continuing without treatment, as the game ended goalless.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Walsall
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Smith, Masterson, Gale, Clark, McKenzie, Little, Morgan (J. Williams 71’), Nevitt, Gbode (Wakeling 84’)
Unused Substitutes: Turner, Ehmer, Corness, E. Williams, Hawkins
Walsall: Hornby, McEntee, Lakin (Johnson 84’), Matt (Amantchi 71’), Asiimwe, Allen, Jellis (Comley 84’), Williams, Stirk, Weir, Adomah (Chang 90+2’)
Unused Substitutes: Barrett, Daniels, Browne
Referee: Andrew Humphries
Attendance: 6153 (395 away fans)
