Gillingham vs. Bury - by Hannah Ingram at the Priestfield Stadium

With so much still to play for, both sides were up and ready for this match at the Priestfield Stadium in sunny Kent. After a two-game suspension, Stephen Dawson was back for selection for Alan Knill's men, sitting in fourth place in the league. Favouring John Welsh after two impressive games, Dawson started the game on the bench with Cresswell, Racchi, Morrell and Jevons. The Gills are still competing for a play-off position, sitting just below the Shakers in the table with a three-point gap. With things so tight at the top, it's anybody's guess who will go up automatically, and who will fight it out in the play-offs.

The first few minutes were used by both sides to settle into the game. The first attack came from the Gills on 5 minutes after BBM and Haslam failed to clear the danger posed by Barcham on the edge of the box, allowing him to shoot from the left of the box, but a deflection made the save easier for Brown to gather. McCammon and Jackon teamed up well on 7 minutes, working their way into the box, and a trip from Brown looked like Jackson could've taken full advantage but the Bury keeper recovered well.

Bishop set up Glynn Hurst moments later, with a pass along the edge of the box. Hurst turned to shoot well, but Royce palmed the shot away. The home fans only had resounding boos for former Gill Efe Sodje on 12 minutes after they judged him to have floored McCammon in the box, but the ref thought otherwise, awarding a corner instead.

A free kick from Jones on 16 minutes was aimed for Sodje at the far post, but it forced Royce to palm the ball away for a corner. Jones also took the corner, only to see the ball loop into the area and back out of play for a goal kick. A free kick for Gillingham on 18 minutes was taken by Nutter, aimed towards the far post, and another trip from Brown looked like a problem before the ball went out of play for a goal kick.

Gillingham thought they had the lead on 19 minutes after a corner from the left hand side met the towering head of McCammon, who was already causing Futcher problems. The linesman judged the ball to have not crossed the line, much to McCammon's appeals. Wright tried his luck moments later after the Gills won a free kick after a foul from Futcher. Tapped towards him by Nutter, he sent a powerful long range effort towards Brown, who got down well by the near post to save.

Yellow card for Bury on 23 minutes - John Welsh

Wayne Brown changed his boots on 27 minutes after two trips had made him unsteady. After half an hour it seemed that Gillingham were the team with more of a game plan, with some neat passing in midfield, and with Jackson and McCammon causing the Shakers' backline serious problems. A foul from Bennett on the right hand side of the box on 32 minutes gave Nutter another chance to curl a free kick into the box. Once again it headed for the back post but was ultimately to nobody. A dangerous cross from Barcham moments later was crying out for a close range header, but Jackson and McCammon both missed it.

Yellow card from Gillingham on 37 minutes - Stuart Lewis

A BBM free kick on 38 minutes was blocked by the Gillingham wall, but rebounded to BBM who passed out wide to Jones. His quick feet sent a cross to Hurst in front of goal, but he was dispossessed before he could turn and shoot. Wright latched onto a loose ball in the Bury box on 41 minutes but Brown saved well.

Two minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury held possession with a Haslam throw-in. Gillingham tried an ambitious long range effort via Wright but it was well wide. A nippy cross from Jones just before half time looked to set up Bish before the Gillingham backline made sure he didn't get any further. Referee Mr. East called time as the teams went to the changing rooms with honours even.

There was no denying that Gillingham had started the game with a more confident stance, whilst Bury seemed to be stumbling over the ball and not quite connecting. The Shakers needed to adopt their recent 'second half team' performance and step up a gear to get something from this game.

Half Time - Gills 0 Shakers 0

Mike Jones made space on the left hand side not long after the restart, aiming for the head of Bishop, but his header was well wide. A forward ball from Welsh on 48 minutes caused a problem for Wright as he tussled with Bishop on the right of the box, eventually clearing it for a Bury throw in.

Another dangerous cross from Nutter on 57 opened up the Bury defence at the far post, but the ball was too far ahead of the outstretching McCammon, giving Bury a goal kick.

Substitute for Gillingham on 60 minutes - Dennis Oli on for Josh Wright

The Gills came closest to breaking the deadlock on 62 minutes after Jackson got the better of BBM and lashed a powerful shot from the right of the box, but sent it wide. Jackson was back moments later, sending a low cross in from the right, only to miss McCammon and be cleared by Haslam. After a nippy few minutes of play which saw Gillingham have the better of the chances, Bury kept trying to get a hold of the game.

Stuart Lewis came close to breaking the deadlock in style on 71 minutes after connecting with a loose ball outside the box. Striking with the outside of his boot, the ball swerved towards the far post and rebounded off it with Brown looking beaten.

Substitution for Bury on 72 minutes - Stephen Dawson on for Michael Jones

Gillingham continued to press forward whilst Bury made some silly errors in passing. A long ball forward for Glynn Hurst on 77 minutes was just out of reach and was cleared by Fuller. Sodje made a run forward on 81 minutes, looking to leave a lasting impression at his former club, but his shot was blocked and the rebound was out of reach for Bishop.

Substitution for Bury on 82 minutes - Phil Jevons on for Glynn Hurst

Bennett made a clever run forward on 83 minutes, beating man after man, but was ultimately stopped in his tracks by Lewis, who Bennett was the judged to have fouled.

Yellow card for Bury on 83 minutes - Elliot Bennett

Jackson was back to being a menace in the Bury box moments later, whilst Futcher and Sodje did their best to scramble the ball clear, with Brown eventually getting down to gather the ball. As the game turned into additional time, the nerves of both sides were tested. Gillingham still had an eye for a goal, whereas Bury were still trying to get forward and take something late on. It wasn't to be in the end, and the game ended as it started, honours even and no goals.

It was obvious that Gillingham had more flair when it came to creating chances and going forward. Their striking duo caused all kinds of problems for the Bury defence throughout the game, whilst Bury found it difficult to string together a decent enough attack to break the deadlock. It would be harsh to say Bury weren't on the same level as the Gills, but there was definitely more organisation and precision in the Gillingham side.

Bury keep their fourth place in the league table, and it adds more juice to the final game of the season next weekend at home to Accrington. It is all still to play for, and there will be plenty of anxious Shakers fans come 3pm at Gigg Lane on Saturday.

Full Time - Gills 0 Shakers 0

Attendance - 8360 (771 Shakers)