Gillingham goalkeeper Jake Turner ‘deserved a clean sheet’ after a man-of-the-match performance against Fleetwood.
On an afternoon when Gillingham produced another underwhelming home performance, they needed Turner’s assistance more than they would have liked against a fellow mid-table side.
Turner made a superb close-range save to deny Esapa Osong in the first half and tipped over a free-kick from Mark Helm in the second.
The 26-year-old recently won his place back in the team, making his first appearance in almost two months last weekend as he kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Barrow.
He didn’t have a shot to make in that game but was busier than expected at Priestfield.
While the match sponsors handed Turner the MOTM award, his manager Gareth Ainsworth was impressed too.
Turner was finally beaten in stoppage time when Shaun Rooney had a free header to equalise.
Ainsworth said: “Jake Turner made some fabulous saves just before that [Fleetwood goal] and I thought he might miracle that [save] as well but it was tough.
“I thought Jake had a super game, I thought he was really good and I’m gutted for him.
“He couldn’t have done anything about the winning goal. His performance deserved a clean sheet.
“He was superb. Top class saves and he’s done well.”
Fleetwood had 14 shots to Gillingham’s six in the match, hitting the woodwork twice before scoring their equaliser to cancel out Seb Palmer-Houlden’s opener.
Turner has taken over in goal from Glenn Morris and has three clean sheets this season from 13 appearances.
