Gillingham and Accrington play out goalless draw at Priestfield

Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2019 by PA

Gillingham striker Tom Eaves came closest to breaking the deadlock as Steve Lovell’s side played out a goalless draw with Accrington at Priestfield.

The Gills’ leading scorer hit the woodwork after being played in by Brandon Hanlan after 20 minutes, and also forced Stanley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted into a brilliant save shortly after half time.

Eaves then came to the hosts’ rescue on the hour-mark, clearing Billy Kee’s header from Sean McConville’s free-kick off the line.

Stanley, who have never won at Gillingham in their history, threatened early on as McConville tested Tomas Holy with a swerving effort that the Czech goalkeeper tipped wide.

McConville also shot straight at Holy after a driving run into the Gillingham box on 52 minutes, while the unmarked Ross Sykes could not head home for the visitors shortly after.

This was only Gillingham’s fifth league draw of the season, but they could have claimed all three points, with Elliott List twice forcing Maxted into good saves with cross-turned-shots.

Maxted made sure his side left Kent with a point as he brilliantly tipped Darren Oldaker’s 20-yard free-kick onto the crossbar after 67 minutes.