Gillingham 2 Cheltenham 2: League 2 match report from Priestfield Stadium

Gillingham had to settle for a point from an entertaining League 2 encounter that they did enough to win.

Jayden Clarke’s opener came after an encouraging start by the Gills but Luke Young equalised from a superbly struck free-kick and George Miller headed Cheltenham in front. George Lapslie came off the bench to make it 2-2 and the woodwork denied fellow substitute Bradley Dack at the death.

Gillingham were looking for a third straight win in the league, and looked good for it after an impressive start, but they let it slip and it needed substitute Lapslie to come in from the cold and draw the match.

Remeao Hutton replaced youngster Harry Webster as the only change from the team which started against MK Dons in the previous match.

The Gills were facing an improving Cheltenham side that had, understandably, taken a while to settle to life in League 2 after relegation and a massive turnaround in players.

Ex-Gills player Michael Flynn oversaw 19 signings during the summer.

Gillingham were superb in the opening exchanges but lacked the same swagger once they got a goal ahead.

Clarke hit the opener on 24 minutes - his seventh of the season - and it was well deserved, the Gills winger pouncing on the ball after keeper Joe Day had been unable to keep hold of Elliott Nevitt’s low effort.

The Gills had started the game attacking with pace and purpose, Nolan in the middle directing things with Hutton and Clarke looking lively too. There were promising signs but once the goal came, Cheltenham worked their way back into the match.

An equalising goal came from a free-kick, well hit by visiting captain Young, whipping in the ball to the far post where it went over Morris and in off the post.

Aaron Rowe forced Day into a save late in