If ever there was a game needed to have been won, it was on Tuesday night, but Gillingham fired blanks against AFC Wimbledon.
With the two sides looking to avoid relegation from League One, the visitors will be the happier as they claimed a precious point that maintains the distance between them and The Gills at the foot of the table.
A vital point won, or two precious ones dropped?
That’s the question Gillingham fans were left pondering as they filed out of Priestfield after watching their heroes held to a frustrating goal-less draw by AFC Wimbledon despite ironically producing possible their next home performance under new boss Neil Harris.
Yet unbelievably in the final analysis it was only the width of Aaron Chapman’s crossbar that “saved” the Gills a point that really could yet prove to be vital in the coming weeks – we hope!
Neil Harris made two changes to the side that started against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday with Ryan Jackson and Ben Reeves starting, whilst David Tutonda and Tom Dickson-Peters dropped to the bench.
Games between these two are almost always tense and close, but the Gills flew out of the blocks early in an attempt to bring the visitors out and got oh so close to doing so after only four minutes when Olly Lee’s deep corner fell to Max Ehmer only for the defender to see his effort denied by the legs of AFC keeper Nik Tzanev. Ehmer almost turned provider not long after for Vadaine Oliver, but the big striker’s header flashed wide.
Oliver had had had another chance, but his overhead kick was too high after he acrobatically connected after the visitors couldn’t clear.
Ben Thompson showed just why the manager brought him in on deadline day with another fine performance as he fired inches wide from the edge of the box before Sam Cosgrove had – and missed – the visitors’ only real chance of the half after the Gills keeper made a mess of a clearance.
Oliver came close early in the second half as he connected with a Thompson cross, his downward header beat Tzanev but sadly for The Rainham End the post as well.
As the half wore on, the visitors were able to create chances of their own – Chapman saving well from Lee Brown’s free-kick – before hearts were well and truly in Gills mouths as Terry Ablade’s bicycle kick crashed back off the Gillingham bar with Chapman beaten.
Yet incredibly the Gills so nearly won the game in stoppage time when a monumental scramble inside the AFC box after Thompson’s ball in caused absolute panic with visiting defenders. Oliver had at least one chance that was blocked and as the ball ricocheted around, it fell to Robbie McKenzie who couldn’t hit the top corner and the chance – and technically two precious points – disappeared into the stand.
With Doncaster Rovers having won at home against Accrington Stanley, The Gills drop one place to 23rd in League One.
They remain five points from safety and behind AFC Wimbledon having played a game more.
With only twelve more league games this season, Gillingham need more wins and fast.
One of the most alarming aspects from Tuesday night is that The Gills, albeit looking more solid at the back, are struggling to create chances and seem like a team that doesn’t know how to unlock defences themselves.
Neil Harris will have to work hard on the training ground as the week goes on before heading to Lincoln City on Saturday.
Gillingham line up: Chapman, Jackson, Masterson, Ehmer, Tucker, McKenzie, O’Keefe, Thompson, Lee (Phillips 85), Reeves (Kelman 67), Oliver.
Subs not used: Dahlberg, Tutonda, Lintott, Maghoma, Dickson-Peters.
Booked: Tucker (74), Lee (83).
AFC Wimbledon line up: Tzanev, Osew, Nightingale, Heneghan, Alexander, Marsh, Chislett (Ablade 77), McCormick, Mebude, Cosgrove (Pressley 77), Cosgrave (Brown 14).
Subs not used: Broome, Csoka, Kalambayi, Kalinauskas.
Booked: Mebude (94).
Referee: Mr Chris Sarginson.
Attendance: 4151 (604 AFC Wimbledon)