Gillingham 1 Port Vale 1: League Two match report from Priestfield Stadium

Gillingham had to settle for a point at home after Port Vale fought back from a goal down at Priestfield.

Ronan Hale put Gillingham ahead from the penalty spot towards the end of a positive first half but Vale substitute Keyrol Figueroa levelled it up as the League Two match ended 1-1.

Gillingham were looking to bounce back from a disappointing display in their weekend game at Accrington in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.

Visitors Port Vale had picked up some good home form ahead of their trip to Kent, after a shaky start to life back in the EFL basement division.

They were seeking a third straight win in the league after back-to-back victories at Vale Park but were still waiting for an away success.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth wasn’t happy with his team’s performance at Accrington and made four changes for the midweek clash.

Jack Daley, Conor McManus, Ethan Coleman and Tom Eaves came in for Logan Dobbs, Harry Waldock, Robbie McKenzie and Lamin Sillah.

McKenzie was out after his partner gave birth to a baby the same day while Sillah was out with a hand injury.

It was a first Football League start for Middlesbrough loan-man Daley.

Before the match started, there was a minute’s applause in memory of Doug Loft, a player who had captained both sides.

Gillingham’s best early move came when they broke away from a Vale corner. Hale slipped in James Brophy but his attempted shot was blocked.

Tom Eaves headed another chance wide in a half where the Gills were on top.

Vale came into the game as the league’s lowest scorers and they offered little attacking threat in the first 45 minutes.

Andy Smith forced the visiting keeper into a good save when he headed goalwards and Marko Marosi also had to be alert to punch away an