Walsall 2 Gillingham 2: League Two match report from the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium

Gillingham came from behind to lead against play-off chasing Walsall but they couldn’t hold on.

Walsall led at the break through Aaron Loupalo-Bi, and although goals from Ronan Hale and Seb Palmer-Houlden put the Gills ahead, the hosts levelled through substitute Daniel Kanu.

The home side were enjoying some good form before the visit of a Gills team who had lost their previous five, but it ended all-square on Friday.

There was just one change to the Gillingham starting line-up as Nelson Khumbeni returned to the XI. Striker Josh Andrews dropped out after a run of 21 games without a goal.

Ainsworth had talked ahead of the game about giving other youngsters a chance after the success of Harry Waldock.

Louie Dayal, 18, was back again from his loan at Sheppey - named on the bench days after his first-half hat-trick for the academy side in their 6-1 win over Bromley’s youngsters.

Gillingham competed well during the opening 20 minutes and went close to scoring from a corner when home keeper Myles Roberts denied Khumbeni after he headed Max Clark’s corner goalwards.

But it was from a simple cross that the hosts took the lead. Courtney Clarke sent a cross into the middle where Loupalo-Bi managed to divert the ball past Glenn Morris with some part of his face, sending the ball looping past the Gills keeper.

Those were the only two on-target efforts of the half as both sides struggled for clear-cut chances.

Ronan Hale was playing up top with Seb Palmer-Houlden and Gareth McCleary either side of Bradley Dack in support. Hale had a shot blocked and there were some half-chances but nothing really of note.

Referee William Davis ignored Gillingham’s penalty appeal late in the half after Khumbeni went down in the box after contact. The