James Walker's progress is blocked by the Yeovil defence Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Andrew Gidley

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson praised his much changed side after a 0-0 draw at Yeovil in League 1 on Saturday.

A battling display at Huish Park saw the Gills leave with only their fourth away point of the season.

Stimson, who made six changes to the side, said: "It was a spirited performance and one we should be proud of.

"It was new team and new formation. I think we did enough to win it, but I will take a point. We can take heart from it, I know the players will."

Asked if he thought this result which took Gillingham out of the bottom four would take the pressure of him, Stimson said: "Who knows? Pressure comes from within, but the people above have been spot on with me and have been honest because they know I'm honest."

In a low key opening 45 minutes Gillingham had plenty of possession, but created very little apart from frustrating the home crowd.

Twice they strung together moves involving 20 passes, but lacked a cutting edge as hard as Curtis Weston and Danny Jackman worked in midfield.

Dennis Oli saw his effort saved by Yeovil goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after six minutes, but the game didn't really come to life until first-half stoppage time when Weston's close-range strike was tipped over the bar as Gillingham forced three quick corners.

Weston also hit the post from the acutest of angles after 56 minutes while Yeovil had gone close a minute earlier when Gills keeper Alan Julian tipped Nathan Smith's cross onto the bar and John Nutter completed the clearance.

Jackman saw two second-half efforts go wide, while Oli and substitute Simeon Jackson also went close as the action increased after the break.

Gills were under pressure late on in the second half and an excellent tackle by skipper Barry Fuller robbed Dean Bowditch and averted the danger as the temperature continued to drop like a stone on an already cold afternoon in Somerset.

Stimson also confirmed after the game he had spoken to chairman Paul Scally about the possibility of bringing in a new player on loan.

But he also revealed one of the substitutes at Yeovil was injured in the warm-up at half-time. He refused to name the player concerned, but hinted the problem may keep him out for a few weeks.

Yeovil: McCarthy, Forbes, Stam (Alcock 46mins), Caulker,Smith, Williams, Tudur Jones, Mason, MacDonald Bowditch, Welsh.

Gillingham: Julian, Fuller, Richards, Dennehy, Nutter, Miller (Barcham 86mins), Maher, Jackman, Weston, Oli, Walker (Jackson 77mins).

Referee: Mr P Crossley (London)

Attendance: 3,853