United secured another point following the second consecutive stalemate at Brunton Park.
Mark Hughes made five changes from last weekend’s fixture against Colchester United - Archie Davies, Cameron Harper, Callum Guy, Matthew Dennis and Joe Bevan entered the side.
Armani Little looked to forge the first opening from a free-kick, finding Andy Smith at the back post but the defender’s effort was claimed by Gabe Breeze.
Moments later, Kadeem Harris forced Glenn Morris to push away a shot destined for the far corner.
On 10 minutes, Sam Gale fired well over into the Warwick Road End as the search for the opening goal of the game continued.
In the early stages, Matthew Dennis and Joe Bevan were making their presence known and the former almost found himself through one v one following a through ball from Elliot Embleton but the ‘keeper claimed.
Elliott Nevitt would then see his attempt crash against the crossbar as the visitors went up the opposite end swiftly.
On the half-hour mark, Robbie McKenzie was at full stretch to divert a headed attempt towards goal after a foul on Harris was waved away in the build-up by referee Scott Jackson - Breeze was there to save once again.
United’s skipper, Sam Lavelle, had the hosts’ best chance of the first-half on 33 minutes. His close range swing was deflected over the bar.
As we entered the final five minutes of the first 45, the Gills started to assert themselves further with McKenzie still causing issues to the Blues’ defence but they were still unable to find the net and the game remained level at the break.
HALF-TIME: United 0-0 Gillingham
Four minutes into the second-half, Embleton and Dennis linked up once again and came close before Archie Davies cleared the ball off the hosts’ line at the other end.
Joe Gbode tried his luck on the turn from distance but his low effort was straight at Breeze, prior to Dennis having a similar shot on goal which was collected by Morris.
On 63 minutes, the Cumbrians should’ve taken the lead through Dennis after breaking on the counter and linking neatly with Bevan, but his effort was no threat to Gillingham’s goal.
With 20 minutes of regular time remaining, substitute Will Patching delivered a brilliant cross to the far post for Dennis, who was still unable to find the back of the net.
On 75 minutes, Harris fired a powerful attempt towards the Gills’ goal following a rapid counter but Morris was there to make the required save.
Cedwyn Scott came close to glancing United into the lead soon after his arrival following another delivery from Harris - it landed just wide of Morris’ goal.
On 86 minutes, Joe Hugill had an unbelievable chance to break the deadlock late on but his tame effort was also saved from close range.
Stephen Wearne was then denied brilliantly by Morris tipping wide at full stretch with what was the final big chance of the contest.
FULL-TIME: United 0-0 Gillingham
Teams:
Carlisle United - Breeze, Davies (64’ Ellis), Harper, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Guy (64’ Patching), Dennis (74’ Hugill), Bevan (64’ Scott), Harris, Whelan, Embleton (74’ Wearne)
Unused subs - Lewis, Hayden
Gillingham - Morris, Hutton, Smith, Ehmer, Gale, Clark, McKenzie, Little ©, Corness (46’ Dack), Nevitt (90+1 Khumbeni), Gbode (74’ Hawkins)
Unused subs - Turner, Nolan, Clarke, Morgan
Goals:
Carlisle United - N/A
Gillingham - N/A
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United - (81’ Ellis), (90+1 Harris)
Gillingham - (6’ Hutton), (77’ Ehmer)
Red cards:
Carlisle United - N/A
Gillingham - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Scott Jackson
Assistant Referee - Adam Nichol
Assistant Referee - Johnathon Bickerdike
Fourth Official - Matt Archibald
Attendance:
6,976 (402 away)
