Conor Masterson’s strike thirteen minutes from time salvaged Gillingham a deserved point against Walsall at Priestfield. 

After Shad Ogie had conceded the penalty that the Saddlers went ahead through, the young central defender launched a long throw into the visitor’s box and Masterson met it with a thunderous shot that flew into the net to grab the Gills a point. 

With Josh Walker making his home debut, Columbian loanee Jorge Hurtado was on the bench as George Lapslie started in place of Dom Jeffries who faces a spell on the sidelines after an injury in training as skipper Max Ehmer chalked up another Gills appearance on his thirty-second birthday. 

The opening of the game followed the pattern of many recent games at Priestfield with the Gills probing to find a way through an opposition sitting very deep meaning that clear chances were at a premium. 

Walker was denied when played through by Scott Malone whilst at the other end, Josh Gordon cleared Jake Turners crossbar from ten yards. 

The best chance of the half fell to Walsall just before the break when Isaac Hutchinsons header needed saving by the Gills keeper as the visitor’s striker looked to add to the hat-trick he netted in the reverse fixture. 

Turner denied the Walsall front man again early in the second half when he held a low drive before it really was third time lucky for Hutchinson from twelve yards as he converted a penalty on the hour after Ogie had adjudged to have handled. 

Gills upped their tempo and levelled on seventy-seven as Ogie’s long throw was smashed home by Masterson and it was to be the home side who had the clearest chance to win the game. But it really did prove it was not Ogie’s day as the young central defender skied the ball into the crowd from ten yards out after Masterson saw a header from a corner blocked by a defender. 

The result still sees Clemence’s side in the logjam on the verge of the Play Off places as they advance on a run of games that will see them face Notts County, Stockport County, Wrexham, and bitter rivals Swindon Town in the next twenty days – a period that could go a long way towards the promised land. 

GILLINGHAM – Turner, Hutton, Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie, Malone, Coleman, Lapslie (Jonny Williams), Mahoney (Dieng), Walker (Hurtado), Hawkins (Nadesan) 

Subs – Morris, McKenzie, Max Clark  

WALSALL – Evans, Knowles, Okagbue, Farquharson, Daniels, Liam Gordon, Hutchinson, Comley, Earing (Stirk), Faal (Matt), Josh Gordon (Tierney) 

Subs – Smith, James-Taylor, Allen, Adegboyega 

REFEREE – Mr Breakspear 

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC