The homework paid off for Gillingham goalkeeper Jack Bonham on Saturday.

Bonham was studying videos of Conor Washington’s previous penalty kicks prior to kick off at the weekend and denied the forward when he got the chance to score from the spot for Charlton.

Bonham had help from goalkeeper coach Ian Pledger, who had been at Peterborough with Chatham-born frontman Washington. He saved well to deny Charlton taking the lead from the penalty spot in the opening half after Ryan Jackson was penalised for a push on Omar Bogle.

The goalie was either going to face Bogle or Washington, the two men debating the issue before the Charlton bench insisted it was Washington who had it. Bonham knew where to go and dived down well to make the save as the ball headed towards the bottom corner.

“Jack has consistently done that for us,” said Gillingham assistant boss Paul Raynor, having seen their goalie make three penalty saves in the league last season.

“He does his homework and he works with our goalkeeper coach Ian on where people are likely to put them and it was a great save.

“Pledge has worked with Conor Washington at Peterborough previously, he knew all about Conor and where he was likely to put one. I saw them before the game going through videos about where he likes to put it.

“It was a great leap, he is very athletic, he got down there to make a fantastic save but I am not surprised.”

Last season Bonham denied Burton’s Lucas Akins from the spot, Tranmere’s Paul Mullin and Rotherham’s Michael Smith but was beaten by Rochdale’s Ian Henderson and Peterborough’s Mo Eisa.

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Report: Gillingham 1 Charlton Athletic 1

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