Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth admitted he was worried when their rookie keeper went down injured as there was no replacement named on the bench.
Taite Holtam made his second start for the Gills for the Friday game at Cheltenham, as regular keeper Glenn Morris continues to recover from a minor injury.
With Morris injured, and their other senior keeper Jake Turner out on loan, Holtam was trusted to keep goal again. First-year youth scholar Fletcher Hegarty made the trip to Cheltenham and warmed up with Holtam before kick-off, but wasn’t named on the bench.
When Holtam landed badly following a collision, Ainsworth admitted there was some concern, and revealed who they had in mind to take on goalkeeping duties if needed.
Ainsworth said: “Was everyone’s heart in their mouth, just like mine, when he went down? That was a worry.
“Elliot Nevitt’s made some fine saves in training and when they mess about at the end of training.
“(Goalkeeper coach) Deren turned around and looked at me like, ‘Gaffer, what happens now?’
“We’d have sorted it, don’t worry. I’ve been in worse situations, but Taite’s a warrior. He came out really well for that punch.”
With a bit of treatment, Gills’ 20-year-old goalie was okay to continue
“Taite made some cracking saves,” Ainsworth said. “One really good save first half, one second half which was deflected even better, but very assured coming out.
“A couple of kicks went out of play but he then reset himself and struck through the ball and got some great deliveries going. I’m really pleased with Taite.
“I thought he did well. Very secure. I think he’s had two great games there.
“He had no shots to save last Saturday (against MK Dons) but was there when we needed him and that’s what he’s there for. I’m really pleased with Taite.”
Gillingham play Wimbledon at home on Monday, with Morris working on his fitness to make the game.
Ainsworth said: “I won’t be giving away any team news. We’ll see. Glenn, I know, is itching to play again.”
Turner claimed an important clean sheet for loan side Dagenham as they won 1-0 against Josh Wright’s Ebbsfleet United on Friday.
Marcus Wyllie also came on as a sub in the win which keeps alive the Daggers’ hopes of avoiding relegation in the National League.
Their winner came from a late penalty which was won after a foul on ex-Gills midfielder Jake Hessenthaler.
They’re now two points from safety with three games to play.
