Chesterfield 1 Gillingham 1: League 2 match report from the SMH Group Stadium

Gillingham surrendered a first-half advantage at Chesterfield as the midweek League 2 match ended level.

Elliott Nevitt scored Gillingham’s opener for the second game running but Will Grigg equalised for Chesterfield after the break.

Gillingham went into the League 2 fixture having drawn their previous five games, including three under recently appointed manager Gareth Ainsworth. Tuesday’s game also finished level.

While Ainsworth was using the final games of the season to see who was up for a challenge under him next term, hosts Chesterfield were desperate for points to keep alive their play-off hopes for the current campaign - dented with a weekend 4-0 loss at Tranmere.

Ainsworth continued to take a look at different players, opting to hand Aaron Rowe a first start since Boxing Day, while birthday boy Joe Gbode - who turned 20 on the day and was making his 50th appearance - and Jonny Williams were both back in the eleven.

Gillingham scored an early goal at the weekend and almost conceded one after just 45 seconds at Chesterfield after a mix-up between keeper Glenn Morris and defender Remeao Hutton.

Dylan Duffy capitalised, and did well to get an angled shot on target, but Sam Gale brilliantly chested the ball clear as it headed goalwards.

Gale had the measure of Duffy on the night, winning tackles, headers and skirmishes against the Chesterfield forward, who was the first man replaced for the home side.

Nevitt had opened the scoring for Gillingham on 14 minutes.

Rowe picked up a loose ball and played it back for the Gills striker, who worked some space with a touch to take it beyond defender Kyle McFadzean, and then found the bottom corner.

It was a frustrating half for the home side, unable to conjure up another shot