Gillingham 0 Walsall 1

Last updated : 02 May 2006 By Footymad Previewer
He may be in the late autumn of his career of his career but Steve Claridge still managed to score for yet another team when his 56th minute toe-poke gave Walsall only their second win of 2006.

The game was played in a strange atmosphere with neither side having anything to play for - Walsall were already relegated while Gillingham were safe in mid-table.

The game began in a tepid manner with chances few and far between. Andy Oakes was the busier of the keepers making saves from Neil Harris' header and Michael Flynn's 20-yard shot inside the first six minutes.

Jason Brown was also tested on 15 minutes when he pulled off a one-handed save to stop Kevin James' header but the offside flag had already gone up.

The half did liven up towards the end. First Walsall blew a three on one counter-attack when Mark Wright failed to pick out James inside the box.

Then on 43 minutes Harris got clear down the left but Darren Byfield headed his cross over from close range.

Two minutes later it was Byfield who crossed but Tommy Black's side-footed effort was well saved by Oakes.

Just after the break Chris Hope's slip gave Kevin James a one-on-one chance but he blazed over from just outside the area.

The deadlock was finally broken on 55 minutes by Walsall. Dean Keates' 30-yard free-kick seemed harmless but Brown spilt the ball allowing Claridge to poke home from only three yards out.

Gillingham nearly levelled on 72 minutes but Andrew Crofts' shot from the edge of the area flew inches past the post. The home team piled on the pressure late on but Walsall held firm until the final whistle.