The points were shared in a hard-fought match from two attacking sides in a foggy evening at Priestfield.
Gareth Ainsworth returned to Priestfield for a league game for the first time since his heart surgery as he observed the game from the stands. He made two changes from last week’s 1-0 victory against Bristol Rovers as Bradley Dack returned to the starting line up as captain and Garath McCleary made his first start for Gillingham since signing at the start of the season.
The first half began with Gillingham having most of the possession and attacking threat. McCLeary and Hutton combined effectively on the right flank to put some useful crosses into the Crawley box. Then, against the run of play, the Crawley captain Williams broke away with the ball and charged towards the Gillingham box, drawing an excellent save from Jake Turner.
Crawley continued to press and grew more dominant as the half progressed. They created a couple of good chances as Barker’s incisive cross was met with a glancing header that hit the post before he had a long-range effort himself that was saved by Turner low to his left.
Both sides created good scoring opportunities, with Gillingham’s Khumbeni and Hutton both having shots blocked from the 6 yard box and Gale missing an unchallenged header at the back post. Crawley had a shot deflected onto the crossbar by Andy Smith.
Crawley’s Max Anderson went off injured at 30 minutes and was replaced by Jack Roles.
The deadlock was finally broken in additional time at the end of the half. McCleary’s first time shot from a long ball was parried behind for only the second corner of the game. Clark squared the corner to Dack on the edge of the penalty area who thundered the ball into the top right-hand corner.
The second half began with plenty of action at both ends. Dack headed the ball into the Crawley net before it was ruled out for offside. Moments later, Andrews hit the post from close range.
At the other end, Crawley levelled the score with a Baijrami header from a well-worked corner.
Gillingham continued to attack following the restart and within a minute, Max Clark’s shot was deemed to have been blocked by a defender’s hand to earn Gillingham a penalty.
Robbie McKenzie drilled the penalty low to the keeper’s right to put Gillingham ahead again.
Crawley retaliated with more dangerous possession in the Gillingham area that almost resulted in a goal when Flower had a free header saved by Turner.
As the half progressed, Crawley continued to apply pressure with plenty of possession in the Gillingham half, while the Gills defended resolutely.
Gillingham almost made it 3 with an excellent counter attacking through ball from Jonny Williams, which was overhit by McCleary.
Crawley levelled the scoring with a clinical right-footed finish from the substitute Tshimanga from Flint’s cross.
Crawley then missed an excellent chance to go ahead as Louis Flower’s header was saved by Turner.
With less than ten minutes to go, both sides were still committing plenty of players forward in an effort to clinch the match. Gillingham went closest as Smith’s cross in the 92nd minute wasn’t met by any of the three players in the box.
The game finished with Man of the Match Jake Turner claiming the ball in a crowded box.
Although Gillingham may feel they squandered chances to put the game to bed, Turner can feel that his performance was vital in earning them a hard-fought point.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Clark, Smith, Coleman, McCleary (Rowe 77), Andrews (Vokes 77), McKenzie, Dack (Smith 77), Khumbeni (Williams 71), Gale.
Subs Not Used: Holtam, Akomeah, Wyllie.
Goals: Dack (45+3), McKenzie (pen 55).
Booked: A Smith (27).
Crawley Town: Wollacott, Baijrami, Barker, Anderson (Roles 35), Forster, Brown (Tshimanga 77), Flower, Adeyemo, Williams, Watson, Flint.
Subs Not Used: Davies, Mukena, Kotey, Robertson.
Goals: Bajrami (52), Tshimanga (82).
Booked: Brown (30), Flower (83).
HT 1-0 FT 2-2
Att: 6252 (395 away fans)
Referee: Mr Paul Howard
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.