Central defender John Egan played a vital role in keeping Bristol City at bay on Saturday.

The Irishman felt the goalless draw at the home of the league leaders was one of their best defensive performances of the season.

“It was one of our best,” he said.

“They were coming at us, they were flinging balls in from everywhere and they are quite a direct team at times, they have some big fellas in there.

“We defended strongly and everyone fought for each other. You can’t ask any more than a clean sheet really.

“I am delighted with the clean sheet, you always are as a defender.

“Sometimes you want to go forward and try and make a few chances but I don’t think we created enough chances, as we have been doing. We have set a high standard already.

“You have those games but everyone on the pitch fought hard for each other and defended well.”

“Defensively I thought we were good and we stuck together as a team when we didn’t quite click with the ball in possession. Normally we are better than that going forward and we have shown that.

“In games when it isn’t quite going for you, you have to dig in and make sure you don’t lose. It was great to come away with a clean sheet and a point.”

It was the fifth time this season the Gills had met City.

Egan said: “I have a couple of buddies playing for team in Greg Cunningham and Derrick Williams and I was saying to them, ‘jeez, I am sick of seeing you now’.

“If you are winning it is grand. We wanted to win, but it wasn’t to be. We will take the point and move on.”