Gillingham were unable to turn pressure into goals against Accrington.

The Gills had more of the chances than their visitors in the League 1 clash but had to share the spoils.

Accrington’s best chance was cleared off the line by Tom Eaves while visiting keeper Jonny Maxted tipped Darren Oldaker’s free-kick onto the bar.

Reaction: We should have won, says Gills boss

Gillingham looked good going forward on Tuesday night, much better than in recent home games, but the half-time whistle came without a goal scored.

It was more of the same in the second half, watched on by a low crowd at Priestfield, but the Gills just couldn’t find the net. It was the first goalless draw in the league this season for Steve Lovell’s side.

Brandon Hanlan, one of three changes to the starting eleven, impressed in the opening half, while Elliott List was also lively.

Oldaker was included from the off and he was first to test the visiting keeper Maxted, forcing him into a save early on.

While Accrington were second best in the first half, they always remained a threat. Tomas Holy saved a long range shot from Sean McConville but the better of the chances kept falling to the Gills.

Eaves skimmed the outside of the post with a shot from outside the box, Maxted had to save twice from List and Max Ehmer had a shot blocked.

Barry Fuller was first to test Maxsted after the break but his shot was palmed away and from the subsequent corner Hanlan was unable to get his header on target.

McConville was denied by Holy but the chances were never far away for Lovell’s men, Eaves having a shot palmed away for a corner and Connor Ogilvie heading the flag-kick over the bar.

Gillingham almost paid not taking their chances when Billy Kee directed a header at goal, beating Holy but not Eaves on the line.

Ehmer’s angled drive was well held by Maxted and the keeper continued to thwart the Gills, turning Oldaker’s free-kick onto the bar and out for a corner.

Josh Rees will be kicking himself about the chance that got away with eight minutes left, taking a heavy touch from Ogilvie’s inviting cross and seeing the opportunity disappear.

There was a heart-stopping moment in stoppage-time for the Gills, when Ogilvie just about managed to clear from substitute Paul Smyth as he almost got in on goal.

Gillingham: Holy, Fuller, Ogilvie, Ehmer, Zakuani, Oldaker, Byrne, Rees, List (Charles-Cook 88mins), Hanlan, Eaves. Subs not used: Hadler, O’Neill, Garmston, Parrett, Simpson, Mbo.

Accrington: Maxted, Johnson, Hughes, Sykes (Smyth 75mins), Richardson-Everton, Donacien, Clarke, Brown, Conneely, McConville, Kee. Subs not used: Evtimov, Nolan, Zanzala, Wood, Rodgers, Armstrong.

Attendance: 3,423