Gillingham had new signings on show at Priestfield but needed a goal from defender Conor Masterson to rescue a point. Walsall had gone in front from the penalty spot after an hour through Isaac Hutchinson but Masterson was on hand to equalise when the ball dropped to him inside the box.
Gillingham hadn’t beaten Walsall in any of their previous eight games at Priestfield, the last coming in 2007 thanks to a Gary Mulligan double.
They struggled to look like winning the latest meeting between the sides at Priestfield, chasing the game after conceding a penalty in the second half.
The Gills looked much-improved after equalising but had to settle for a point from this one after a 1-1 draw. Josh Walker made his home debut for the Gills - one of four signings in the January transfer window - but Watford loan man Jorge Hurtado was named among the subs and giant striker Josh Andrews wasn’t in the squad, still carrying an injury from his time on loan at Accrington.