Brilliant Bonham keeps out Pompey
JACK BONHAM produced a fine display of goalkeepering to thwart Portsmouth and leave home boss Kenny Jackett feeling miffed.
The Gills stopper pulled off a series of good saves to deny Pompey a third successive victory in front of a restless Fratton Park crowd.
Jackett said: “Ultimately it was frustrating. I felt in the first half we were in control and could have won it, but in the second half we lost our way and our confidence.
“We have to score when we’re on top. I was looking for a big storming second half, but it didn’t come.
“The game was there for us, it was two points dropped, definitely rather than a point gained.
“Gillingham worked it well and made it difficult for us, but I wanted us to build on that first half but we couldn’t do it which is frustrating.”
Pompey had the better of the first half and Gareth Evans and Ben Close both tested Bonham, while impressive defender Sean Raggett headed against a post.
Gillingham’s best effort came through Mikael Ndjoli’s left-footed shot from distance, which curled just wide of the left-hand post. Jackett used all three substitutes, but the hosts never managed to get going in the second half.
Another good save from Bonham kept out Ellis Harrison’s low drive from 20 yards out and Lee Brown’s injury-time strike flashed wide to close the game.
Gillingham manager Steve Evans said: “It was a magnificent performance defensively.
“The back four were outstanding and the goalkeeper made some saves that he should save, but he saved them.
“We worked incredibly hard and it was a good away performance.
“You always know with this absolutely phenomenal atmosphere they give them every chance and to come to a place like this where they make a difference and they are the 12th man so credit to the players.
“We came with the intention of winning here, we know they’re not in the best of form, but Fratton Park can be a bit of an Achilles’ heel. I thought we had a 10-15-minute period where we were the better team and played good quick counter-attacking football.”