Gillingham 0 Walsall 0 match report: League 2 clash at Priestfield ends goalless despite Gills coming close to late winner

Gillingham couldn’t find a way through as they drew at home to Walsall on Saturday in League 2.

The Gills had conceded five goals in their previous two league matches but didn’t concede on this occasion - but couldn’t score themselves, despite going close to grabbing a late winner.

The first opening came in the fifth minute as the lively Jordan Green found Gillingham team-mate Mika Mandron. Frontman Mandron tried to find Green with a return ball but his attempted pass went through to away goalkeeper Owen Evans.

Five minutes later, the home side felt they should have had a penalty. Green tried to latch on to a long ball and was met by Evans, the pair coming together inside the penalty box, but referee Robert Madely controversially decided to start play with the Saddlers having possession.

Walsall’s first chance at Priestfield came with 14 minutes played which saw Tom Knowles blast over.

Just after the half-hour mark, Walsall, coached by Michael Flynn who had captained the Gills in a spell with the club from 2005 to 2007, had another chance. But midfielder Knowles once again failed to hit the target.

There was almost a mix-up in the home defence in the 40th minute. Goalkeeper Glenn Morris came out before changing his mind, as defender Elkan Baggott dealt with the danger.

Two minutes later, Walsall skipper Donervon Daniels had an even better chance but curled just over from the edge of the box.

But the encounter remained goalless at half-time, the greatest entertainment being the flak the officials were getting from some of the home supporters among the crowd of 3,917, which included 333 Walsall fans.

The second period was less than a minute old when Ronan Maher got the game's first booking for a foul on Gillingham skipper