Report and pics of Gillingham 0 Walsall 0

The Saddlers had the better chances at Priestfield, with Ashley Grimes missing the best when he sliced wide from four yards out.

James Baxendale also headed wide, while home goalkeeper Stephen Bywater had to tip Anthony Forde's deflected cross round the post.

Gillingham dominated possession but the Saddlers defence stood strong with keeper Richard O'Donnell rarely troubled.

It is that aspect which will please manager Dean Smith the most after slamming his defenders in the wake of Tuesday's 4-0 drubbing at the Dale.

But he will wonder what might have been had Grimes taken one of several early chances. The 27-year-old is yet to break his duck since joining the club in the summer.

Smith responded to Tuesday's 4-0 defeat by making three changes to his starting line-up.

There were recalls for Grimes and James Baxendale, while skipper Adam Chambers returned having successfully shaken off an ankle injury. Mathieu Manset, Mal Benning and Billy Clifford all dropped to the bench.

The Saddlers made a bright start, with Grimes having a shot blocked in the opening minute before home keeper Bywater had to tip a Forde cross which had deflected viciously off the knee of Kortney Hause round the post.

Grimes then fired straight at Bywater from a good position inside the box after meeting a Baxendale pull back.

Bradley Dack was the Gills brightest player in the opening stages and he almost found Cody McDonald with a pass which split the Saddlers defence but O'Donnell was alert and out to smother.

But it was the Saddlers who should have led when Grimes somehow failed to convert from four yards out after meeting another excellent Forde cross.

O'Donnell again had to be alert to race out and save from Luke Norris after the striker had broken clear – though in truth a poor touch cost the Gills man the chance to shoot.

That was about it in terms of first half chances as the game drifted to half-time goal-less.

Andy Taylor drilled a free-kick straight at Bywater early in the second period, before there was a sharp intake of breath at the other end when Jermaine McGlashan fired the ball across the face of goal after cutting inside from the right wing, with no Gills player in the middle to take advantage.

The Gills then went close twice in a minute, first when McDonald pulled a shot across goal which James O'Connor managed to prevent Norris from tapping in at the far post. From Jake Hessenthaler's corner, John Egan headed wide.

Walsall were showing little as an attacking force at that stage but Forde did curl a shot high and wide from a good position following a quick throw by Baxendale.

The hosts were having most of the play, but failing to test O'Donnell.

It was instead the Saddlers who had a great chance as the game entered the final 10 minutes, with Baxendale heading wide from another excellent Forde cross.