Jackett frustrated by Gillingham stalemate

Posted Sunday, October 13, 2019 by PA

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett was left frustrated after seeing his side held to a dour 0-0 draw at home by Gillingham.

Gills goalkeeper Jack Bonham pulled off a series of good saves to deny Pompey a third successive victory in front of a restless Fratton Park crowd.

Jackett said: “Ultimately it was frustrating. I felt in the first half we were in control of the game and could have won it, but in the second half we lost our way and our confidence.

“We have to score when we’re on top. I was looking for a big storming second half but it didn’t come.

“The game was there for us today. It was two points dropped, definitely, rather than a point gained.

“Gillingham worked it well and made it difficult for us, but I wanted us to build on that first half, but we couldn’t do it which is frustrating.

“We wanted them to take it up a gear or two in the second half, but we couldn’t do that and actually took it down a gear or two.

“We let the game drift instead of getting hold of it with only three chances after half-time.”

Pompey had the better of the first half and Gareth Evans and Ben Close both tested Bonham, while defender Sean Raggett headed against a post.

Gillingham’s best effort came through Mikael Ndjoli’s left-footed shot from distance, which curled just wide of the left-hand post.

Another good save from Bonham kept out Ellis Harrison’s low drive from 20 yards and Lee Brown’s injury-time strike flashed wide to close the game.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans said: “It was a magnificent performance defensively.

“The back four were outstanding and the goalkeeper made some saves that he should save but he saved them.

“We worked incredibly hard and it was a good away performance.

“You always know with this absolutely phenomenal atmosphere, they give them every chance, and to come to a place like this where they make a difference and they are the 12th man (is difficult), so credit to the players.

“We came with the intention of winning here, we know they’re not in the best of form but Fratton Park can be a bit of an Achilles’ heel.

“The only thing that disappointed me today was when we were in attacking areas we took a touch too much or we didn’t play the one-two as sweet as we should.

“I thought we had a 10-15-minute period where we were the better team and played really good quick counter-attacking football.”