VINCE BARTRAM is waiting to learn whether his heroics at Stockport on Tuesday were enough to reclaim his place as Gillingham’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Bartram, ousted by Jason Brown in March after 103 consecutive appearances, served notice at Edgeley Park that he is back to his best with a performance that won acclaim from both his manager and supporters.

His handling of a greasy ball was faultless and his finger-tip save from Jon Daly early in the second-half when the Stockport striker looked set to score was easily the save of the tie which Gillingham went on to win 2-1 after extra-time.

With Brown, whom Bartram replaced after 15 minutes at Crystal Palace on Sunday, expected to be fit to face Coventry on Saturday, player-manager Andy Hessenthaler finds himself spoilt for choice.

He said: “Vince has been out in the cold but I thought he had a fantastic game. The pitch was zippy but he did well and could do nothing about their goal.

“Throughout, his handling was first class. You couldn’t fault him.”

The Gills boss would not be drawn on Saturday’s choice of goalkeeper but Bartram’s performance at Stockport makes it hard for him to be dropped.