Gills move up three places in the league standings following 0-0 draw against Stockport.
Gills earned a hard-fought point against table-topping Stockport County at the Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday evening.
In a game of few chances, Myles Hippolyte came the closest when his free-kick from a tight angle hit the post during the first-half.
Jonny Williams came the closest for the Gills when his shot from distance forced Ben Hinchliffe into a save, where he had to gather the ball at the second attempt.
Stephen Clemence made three changes to the starting XI that lost at Newport County. Jayden Clarke, Jonny Williams and Josh Walker came into the side, while Oli Hawkins and Connor Mahoney dropped to the bench. George Lapslie missed out due to injury.
Gills had a good half-chance in the opening moments when Myles Hippolyte’s clearances was blocked around the six-yard box. It came off a Gillingham player and ricocheted goalward. Unfortunately, it cleared the crossbar.
Lewis Cass came close in the tenth minute for Stockport. The visitors took a quick free-kick, allowing Hippolyte to make his way into the penalty area without much pressure. He floated a cross in the direction of Cass, who rose the highest. He guided his header towards the bottom left corner, but it went just wide of Jake Turner’s post.
Hippolyte continued to be at the heart of the early action when he struck the post in the 22nd minute. The visitors won a free-kick at a tight angle on the right, which Hippolyte took himself. He curled the ball towards the far corner with the effort beating Turner but rattling the woodwork before it bounced away from the danger.
Turner did brilliantly to deny Hippolyte when the wing-back shot from around 20 yards shortly after. He received the ball on the right-hand side before cutting inside onto his left foot and shooting. Hippolyte’s effort had plenty of power as it was dipping at the final moments. Turner did well to keep his eyes on the ball before pushing it behind for a corner, which came to nothing.
Jonny Williams forced Ben Hinchliffe into a save in the 40th minute. Max Clark was fouled and quickly offloaded the ball to Williams, who brought it forward. The midfielder had the space in front of him to shoot from around 30 yards. His effort had the movement and power to cause Hinchliffe issues as he had to gather the ball at the second attempt.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Stockport County
Jake Turner required treatment just short of the hour when he seemingly had an issue with his hip. After receiving treatment, he was luckily okay to continue in between the sticks.
In the 61st minute, Gills made a double change as Hawkins and Ashley Nadesan replaced Clarke and Walker.
Nadesan had a big opportunity in the 67th minute. Williams headed the ball back into the penalty area, and Nadesan beat the offside trap to latch onto the loose ball. Unfortunately, he poked his effort from around 12 yards over the crossbar, despite his appeals of a Stockport player being responsible for getting the defining touch.
Paddy Madden was denied by an important block as the visitors went in search of the opener. A cross from the left dropped to Fraser Horsfall, who pulled it back for Madden to shoot. The forward had a clear path at goal with his shot, but his effort was well-blocked by a Gillingham defender as the ball went out for a corner that came to nothing.
In the 81st minute, Gills made their third change as Scott Malone replaced Clark.
There was very little created in the final ten minutes as Stockport went in search of a winning goal. However, Gills stood firm against the attacking threat to ensure they came away with a point.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Stockport County
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie, Clark (Malone 81’), Coleman, Dieng, Clarke (Hawkins 61’), J. Williams, Walker (Nadesan 61’)
Unused Substitutes: Morris, McKenzie, S. Williams, Mahoney
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Hippolyte, Cass, Horsfall, Byrne, Touray, Collar (Bailey 27’), Croasdale, Sarcevic, Madden (Powell 88’), Wootton (Olaofe 70’)
Unused Substitutes: Smith, Bristow, Evans, Bennett
Referee: Lee Swabey
Attendance: 5321 (378 away fans)