Stuart Nelson turns Michael O'Connor's shot wide Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gills manager Martin Allen admits he still can’t believe he got keeper Stuart Nelson on a free transfer.

Nelson, 31, was released by Notts County in the summer, despite being a regular at the County Ground, and Allen was quick to snap him up.

Two great saves at Priestfield on Monday, against Rotherham United, showed just what he can do when called upon.

Allen said: “Every supporter in the ground was singing ‘England’s number one’ and how we managed to get him on a free transfer I will never know. He is a fantastic goalkeeper.

“He has got years and years ahead of him, he is getting better and better with age and we have seen in the Premier League goalkeepers are playing at 38, 39 and 40 and without a shadow of a doubt Stuart Nelson can play higher, he will play higher, and we are very lucky to have him.”

Nelson, who helped the side to their 18th clean sheet of the season, on Monday, made a picture-book save from Michael O’Connor late in the game but it was the stop earlier in the half, to deny Daniel Nardiello, that caught Allen’s eye.

“It was a good save (to deny O’Connor) but in my opinion he made a better save than that when their guy (Nardiello) got through, the only time they did get through our defence, and that was the best for me.

“The other one looked good but it was a touch over the bar for me. It looked good and it was one you practice in the garden when you’re little. It was a good save, but the one down to the centre-forward’s feet was the best one.”