Gillingham are out of the bottom four in League 1 after picking up a well-earned point against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Gills had the better of the first half chances but were unable to make them count in an energetic performance against the division's big-boys Wednesday. The visitors pressed for a late winner but Gills deservedly hung on for a point.

• Harris: 'We were much better than them'

Saturday’s game was played infront of Gillingham’s biggest gate of the season, a crowd of 7,433, boosted by 3,295 away supporters.

Goalkeeper Aaron Chapman was recalled by the Gills following Pontus Dahlberg’s costly error at Charlton in the week.

Chapman didn’t have a great deal to do in the opening half, however, with the Gills limiting play-off chasing Wednesday to only half chances. The visitors were limited to just two shots on target in the whole match.

Vadaine Oliver had tested visiting keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the opening seconds and the home side had several great chances in the opening half.

There was some who felt Wednesday defender Chey Dunkley was lucky to stay on the pitch after shoving over Charlie Kelman when he was put in by Jack Tucker’s long ball forward. Another covering defender probably saved him as he got away with a caution. Olly Lee put the free-kick over the bar.

Gills captain Stuart O’Keefe had a lively half and he headed a ball through to Kelman to create another opening. Peacock-Farrell saved Kelman’s first shot but it bounced into the path of Oliver and he couldn’t get enough on the shot to find the net.

Jordan Storey headed a corner wide for the visitors but they went in at the break without a shot on target.

Kelman was denied by the away keeper shortly after the restart and Ben Thompson had a shot blocked as the second half, like the first, started at a quick tempo.

There were fears that O’Keefe’s day could have ended early after a clash with teammate Oliver, the Gills captain coming off worse and needing treatment for a cut below the eye. The stretcher came on and the game was delayed for five minutes before O’Keefe got to his feet and play resumed.

O’Keefe remained in the thick of it and had a low shot saved from Peacock-Farrell.

Barry Bannan was Wednesday’s danger-man and he had a couple of shots with around 20 minutes remaining, one which went just wide and another moments later that Chapman had to get a fingertip to. It was his first save of the match.

The visitors were starting to get on top, utilising their bench with the introduction of both Saido Berahino and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. The Gills had youngsters in reserve and boss Neil Harris preferred to keep it as it was for as long as he could.

Bannan kept threatening and fired a 20-yard effort just wide of the mark. Wednesday were increasing the pressure and Lee Gregory went close late on, his effort cleared off the line and onto the post by Jack Tucker.

Oliver had a chance to win it for Gills in stoppage-time but fired wide when under pressure from a defender.

Gillingham: Chapman, Jackson, Tutonda, Tucker, Ehmer, Masterson, Lee, O’Keefe, Thompson, Oliver, Kelman. Subs not used: Lintott, Maghoma, Dahlberg, Akehurst, Dickson-Peters, Chambers

Sheff Wed: Peacock-Farrell, Hunt (Mendez-Laing 62mins), Storey, Dunkley, Hutchinson, Johnson, Byers (Dean 79mins), Luongo, Bannan, Paterson (Berahino 62mins), Gregory. Subs not used: Wildsmith, Iorfa, Sow, Kamberi.

Attendance: 7,433 (3,295 away)

Referee: Gavin Ward