A battling Gillingham held off the best that League Two leaders Stockport County had to offer as Stephen Clemence’s side denied the table toppers for a second time this season. 

Keeper Jake Turner was the real hero with a series of terrific first half saves and playing through the pain barrier in the final quarter keeping the management suitably concerned to have Glenn Morris warming up for most of the closing twenty minutes of the game. 

It was not the thriller by the minute of the 2-2 draw with Swindon Town seven days earlier, but this was equally engrossing.

Head Coach Clemence started with a forward line of Jayden Clarke and Jordan Walker with both struggling to make their mark against bigger and stronger opposition.

At the other end, the battles between the two skippers – Max Ehmer and Paddy Madden – and Shad Ogie against Ryan Rydel were a joy to behold.

On the one hand, you had the two “older” foxes trying to outthink each other – a truly magnificent battle. And then you had the battle of the “youngsters” where quite literally both were trying to take each other’s shirt off the back of the opponents! 

The leaders started brightly, and Turner was soon called into action – making a fine save on the edge of his box to deny Madden. 

Stockport were certainly ahead on points at least in the opening half if not on the pitch and only Lewis Case will know quite how his header (from Myles Hippolyte’s cross) flashed past Turners right post.

Hippolyte himself went even closer moments later when a free kick wide on the right beat everyone but smacked off Turner’s crossbar. 

Hippolyte was a real threat to the home defence, and he was next denied by a fabulous Turner save as he cut in off the right wing and arrowed a shot goalwards which Turner saved magnificently away to his right. 

The visitors’ overall approach to the game became apparent when Will Collar was booked for being withdrawn in the first half that saw the County man head straight for the Priestfield dressing rooms albeit at a snail’s pace. 

The Gills were growing in confidence and nearly went in front against the run of play just before the break as Jonny Williams’ swerving effort caused keeper Ben Hinchcliffe all sorts of trouble, but sadly for the home side there was not a blue shirt following in. 

The second half was a different contest which was much more even especially when the home side introduced Ashley Nadesan and Oli Hawkins. Suddenly the visitors’ commanding defence did not look so and there were even times when Hawkins found himself battling with not one, not two, but three black shirts at a time. 

There was a major worry for the home side when first half hero Turner slumped in a heap after catching a corner and subsequently winced on near every clearance – enough of a concern to get Morris to keep himself ready for action for the remainder of the contest. 

The only real disappointment was that the Gills could not turn the tempo up enough to create any real chances although Ehmer was unlucky to be falling when connecting with a brilliant Hawkins knock down from an Ogie throw.

Nadesan as well will look back on one challenge on him – where his shirt was clearly pulled – that was waved away by a very lenient Mr Swabey. 

A point against the leaders and four points out of six as well as being the first side this season not to concede a goal in one hundred and eighty minutes against one of the pre-season title favourites.

Yes, Clemence’s side do have their struggles, but the signs are there that the run for the Play Offs could yet be an interesting one at Priestfield. 

This point lifts the Gills to eighth place in the table ahead of the Hollywood superstars from North Wales heading for Priestfield at the weekend when Wrexham come calling… 

Gillingham – Turner, Hutton, Max Clark (Scott Malone 81) Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie, Coleman, Dieng, Jonny Williams, Jayden Clarke (Hawkins 61), Walker (Nadesan 61). 

Subs not used – Morris, McKenzie, Shaun Williams, Mahoney.

Booked: Ehmer (21).

Stockport County – Hinchliffe, Hippolyte, Cass, Horsfall, Byrne, Touray, Collar (Bailey 28), Croasdale, Sarcevic, Madden (Powell 89), Wootton (Olaofe 70).

Subs not used – Smith, Bristow, Evans, Bennett.

Booked: Collar (27), Croasdale (40).

Referee – Mr Lee Swabey 

Attendance: 5321

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.