For the second time in a week Sheffield Wednesday were held to a disappointing draw in League One, with lowly Gillingham proving a tough nut to crack in a goalless draw at Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
The away side had the lion’s share of the possession, but it was the Gills who had the better scoring opportunities across the match.
The best chance of the first half fell to Gillingham striker Vadain Oliver, who failed to convert from close range after Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the Wednesday goal had spilled QPR loanee Charlie Kelman’s long distance effort.
The Gills went close again in the second period after some indecision at the back from Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson almost allowed Charlie Kenman to profit, with the Gills striker just unable to slide the ball past Peacock-Farrell from inside the area.
Inspirational Owls captain Barry Bannan tried his best to make the breakthrough for his side, with a left-footed effort from outside the box almost squirming past Aaron Chapman in goal for Gillingham before firing another decent effort from range just over the bar.
The 3,500 strong travelling Wednesday support must have thought their team had won it when Lee Gregory fired the ball past Chapman from close range in the 83rd minute, only for Jack Tucker to save the day for Gillingham with a heroic goal-line block with Saido Berahino lurking just behind him.
The result leaves the Owls hanging on to their place in the play-offs by a thread, whilst Neil Harris’ Gillingham side were able to climb out of the relegation zone.
The Owls still have their play-offs destiny firmly in their own hands with eight matches remaining, however, with Cheltenham Town up next at Hillsborough next Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore was left frustrated with his side’s inability to find a way to goal.
He said: “The onus was on us to come and try and win the game whilst not conceding something stupid by overcommitting too many bodies forward and them getting a breakaway goal. It didn’t materialise like that.”
🗣️ Post-match reaction from manager Darren Moore at Priestfield#GILSHW
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 19, 2022
The Owls gaffer went on to salute the Wednesday faithful for their unrelenting away support.
“It’s fabulous. I always ask the secretary the numbers we are bringing away from home and it’s great to see 3,500 come here today. I was just desperate to get the win today to send them back up north with the three points in the bag,” Moore said.
