AFC Fylde 1 Gillingham 1: Mikael Mandron scores for the Gills at Mill Farm in FA Cup First Round match but Tom Walker levels late on

Gillingham conceded a late goal at non-league AFC Fylde as the first round FA Cup match ended level.

Mandron put the Gills infront at the end of the opening half but the National North side were rewarded for their second half pressure as Tom Walker levelled with four minutes left.

Gillingham boss Neil Harris named a strong side to take on the National North opponents, keen to progress in a competition that he has enjoyed good times previously as a player and manager.

Fylde sat seventh in their league prior to kick off, the full-time club playing two levels below the Gills. They went into the match keen to claim their first even Football League scalp.

Gillingham were in need of a boost after a slow start in League 2, with wins and goals hard to come by. This tie will now be decided at Priestfield with both teams in the hat in Monday’s round two draw.

It was the non-league hosts who showed the early promise but the Gills gradually got on top during the opening half.

Ryan Law’s cross/shot was almost met at the back post by Mandron while Dom Jefferies had a shot deflected wide form distance and Hakeeb Adelakun tested the keeper’s handling from 25 yards.

Just before the Gills took the lead there were fears they may have been reduced to 10 men. Captain Stuart O’Keefe had already been cautioned for a wayward challenge on Luke Charman with just five minutes played. He was spoken to by the referee again late in the half when he and Curtis Weston - the former Gills man - went in for a 50-50. The Fylde man came off worse but referee Tom Reeves kept his cards in his pocket.

The home fans weren’t happy moments later when Pierce Bird was then booked for a challenge, which led to Gills’ opener. Wright played the stoppage-time free-kick