Gillingham 0 AFC Wimbledon 0: No goals at Priestfield in League 1 relegation scrap

Chances came and went for Gillingham as they were forced to settle for a point against lowly Wimbledon.

The Gills were unable to capitalise on a dominant performance that lacked the end product and were almost made to pay as Wimbledon substitute Terry Ablade hit the bar late on.

Billed as a huge game by many and a ‘six pointer’ by Gills boss Neil Harris, Tuesday was an opportunity to close the gap on those positions of safety.

The Gills started the match in the ascendancy, with attack-minded Ben Reeves included as one of two changes, helping make things happen upfront early on as he and Ben Thompson flanked striker Vadaine Oliver in a tweak to the formation.

Gillingham’s big front-man Oliver had a trio of early chances, sending an overhead kick, a header and a half-volley wide. Max Ehmer’s low shot through a crowded area was blocked by keeper Nik Tzanev and Thompson wasn’t far off with a rasping effort.

It was a big improvement on the weekend fixture against Plymouth which had seen the Gills struggle to make an impression at the top end.

Wimbledon included former Dover loan man Aaron Cosgrave upfront but his night was over through injury after barely 10 minutes. The visitors threatened on a couple of occasions but reached the break without troubling the Gills goal.

While it had been a good first 45 minutes for the hosts, asking more questions with the two men alongside Oliver, there was disappointment that the pressure and the chances hadn’t led to a goal.

The sides went in at the break goalless and Ehmer’s shot from a corner had been the best of the first half openings. Gillingham had dominated the opening 20 minutes but the chances were fewer as the half progressed with neither side able to dig out the quality.

Oliver