Liam Roberts stars as Walsall hold Gillingham to goalless draw

Posted Sunday, February 18, 2018 by PA

Walsall goalkeeper Liam Roberts helped earn his side a dogged 0-0 draw against in-form Gillingham at Priestfield to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

Roberts made a handful of key saves to deny a Gills side that have lost just twice in their last 17 league games.

Leading scorer Tom Eaves wasted the hosts’ best chances of an uneventful opening half.

He headed against the crossbar – following the faintest of touches from Roberts – from 10 yards after meeting Connor Ogilvie’s 21st-minute cross, before missing the target following Luke O’Neill’s deep delivery 60 seconds later.

Eaves also had the game’s first effort on target seven minutes after half-time but could not beat Roberts with his snapshot.

And the Gillingham striker came even closer when, despite being on the ground, he hooked a shot against the post as Walsall struggled to clear O’Neill’s free-kick.

Joe Edwards wasted a rare Saddlers break when he shot over from 25 yards before Roberts kept out Jake Hessenthaler’s drive.

And Josh Parker wasted Gillingham’s final chance of the game in the 83rd minutes, heading over the bar after Eaves crossed from the byline.