Gillingham continued their fine form with a 0-0 draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on a chilling Boxing Day in Suffolk.

Although both sides showed good attacking intent on the day, the game, somehow, remained goalless, but the Gills were well worth their point.

Despite suggesting he may rotate his team to keep everyone fresh, manager Steve Evans named an unchanged side for the second game running in an attempt to keep some consistency in his team’s positive performances.

Gillingham flew out of the blocks and executed a brilliant training ground routine almost to perfection when Brandon Hanlan peeled off fellow forward Mikael Mandron from a free kick. His effort was, however, saved well.

The two forwards continued to cause problems for a nervous looking Ipswich defence as the first-half progressed, both going close on a few occasions.

Hanlan constantly ran at the defenders, utilising his pace perfectly, and Mandron had a fine, curling effort tipped round the post half way through the half. 

The big forward had another opportunity not long after when Norris’ kick fell straight to him, but he didn’t have to pace to break and the defence caught up before a shot was blocked.

Although Gillingham dominated the first-half, Ipswich almost took the lead moments before the break when Kayden Jackson got the better of Max Ehmer down the left. As he ran at goal, all he had to do was square the ball to strike partner James Norwood for a tap in, but the pass was loose and behind Norwood, which was a real let off for the Gills.

Ipswich cranked the pressure up in the second-period as Jackson headed a cross wide. James Norwood then missed a Jackson cross by inches, despite his best efforts on the stretch.

Chances began to fall regularly for both sides and Tom O’Connor may have thought he won it late on for Steve Evans’ men. His deflected effort went past an on-rushing Norris, but rolled agonisingly wide.

Max Ehmer had a volley blocked late on, too, to deny him a second goal in as many games, but the Gills were well worth their point as the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Ipswich: Norris, Donacien (Sears 81), Edwards, Skuse, Jackson, Norwood, Nolan, Judge, Nsiala, Woolfenden, Garbutt.

Subs not used: Holy, Wilson, Downes, Dozzell, Huws, Keane.

Gillingham: Bonham, O’Keefe, Ehmer, Ogilvie, Hanlan, Mandron (Jakubiak 85), Fuller, Jones, Lee, O’Connor, Tucker.

Subs not used: Walsh, Hodson, Ndjoli, Charles-Cook, Pringle, Marshall.

Attendance: 22,082 (576 away).

Referee: Mr. C. Hicks.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club