Gillingham 1-1 Port Vale: Patched-up side steadies the ship, but mistakes at both ends cost Gills the win

Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth made four changes to his team, with on-loan Middlesbrough defender Jack Daley getting his first Gills start in place of Logan Dobbs, while Ethan Coleman came in to replace Robbie McKenzie, who was off duty after his partner went into labour that afternoon. There was also a change up front, with Tom Eaves coming in to start in place of Lamin Sillah, who had sustained a suspected broken hand/wrist.

In a first half that was bereft of real quality from both sides, Gillingham's best piece of attacking play came from Nick Freeman on 16 minutes. The wing-back's superbly-delivered low cross from the right flank was begging for someone to gamble and get on the end of it. Sadly, none of the Gills front line were far enough forward to make a play at the ball.

In a half where chances were few and far between, Gillingham's best came via an Armani Little free-kick, which found Andy Smith at the back post. His powerful header was excellently turned around the post by Vale keeper Marko Marosi.

Gillingham's late pressure finally earned them an opportunity when Ethan Coleman nipped in ahead of George Hall as the Vale defender attempted to volley clear. Coleman got to the ball first, with Hall connecting with the Gills midfielder instead.

It was a clear penalty, and Ronan Hale stepped up and fired low into the bottom corner to put the home side 1-0 up three minutes from half-time.

Gillingham should have doubled their lead early in the second half when a deflected Hale shot found its way to Tom Eaves in the penalty area. His touch was a little too heavy, and gave Marosi the chance to block the big striker's toe-poked effort towards goal. The ball then fell perfectly for Little, but he lashed wildly at the ball and sent it way over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

It proved to be the last serious chance of the game for the Gills, who spent the rest of the match on the back foot as Port Vale launched wave after wave of attacks in a bid to strike back and grab a priceless equaliser.

With the home side dropping deep and surrendering the midfield area to the visitors, Port Vale dominated the remainder of the match, and got a deserved equaliser when substitute Keyrol Figueiroa capitalised on some hesitant defending from Omar Beckles and Coleman to put the ball past Ollie Wright on 66 minutes.

There was almost a late twist as former Gillingham skipper Kyle Dempsey's well-struck free-kick was heading for the top corner, but Wright did well to parry the ball away to safety.

The match saw both sides pay tribute to Doug Loft, who tragically passed away last week. Loft had represented both Gillingham and Port Vale as club captain, and with Loft's family in attendance at Priestfield, both teams, and both sets of fans, observed a minute's applause to pay their respects.