Blackburn Rovers were knocked off the top of League One by Wigan being held to a 0-0 draw by a stifling Gillingham on Tuesday night.
Steve Lovell made two changes to the side that were involved in the goalless draw with Doncaster Rovers at the weekend with Callum Reilly and Josh Parker brought back into the starting eleven with Navid Nasseri dropping to the bench whilst there was no place in the squad for the ill Rhys Murphy.
Meanwhile, leading scorer Tom Eaves was out injured, with Blackburn able to welcome back former Gills star Bradley Dack.
Both sides showed they were capable of attacking in the first half but Blackburn were first to threaten significantly, with Corry Evans testing Tomas Holy with a low 20-yard drive that the home keeper palmed away.
Gillingham felt most comfortable on the break, with Josh Parker forcing a similar save with a close-range header, but David Raya was equal to the effort.
After the break Gillingham gained confidence, particularly through Parker and Conor Wilkinson, but could not test Raya. Tony Mowbray’s visitors made changes but could not unpick the home defence, growing more frustrated as the game wore on.
Charlie Mulgrew forced a pair of smart full-length saves from Holy from free-kicks but those were the only shots on target in the second half.
Parker had the best chance for the hosts – a golden opportunity to seal a win for Steve Lovell’s men – but he overran the ball after going clear on goal.
The point sees Steve Lovell’s side end the evening in 15th place in League One with 51 points from 41 games played.
With just five games left to play this season and sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone, Gillingham should consider themselves now safe.
They head to Oldham on Saturday now reasonable safe in the knowledge that they will be in the third tier of English football for another campaign.
Gillingham line up: Holy, Ehmer, Zakuani, Nugent, Wagstaff, Garmston, Byrne, Hessenthaler, Reilly, Wilkinson (List 80), Parker (Nash 90).
Subs not used: Hadler, Lacey, Ogilvie, Stevenson, Nasseri.
Blackburn Rovers line up: Raya, Williams, Smallwood, Graham (Samuel 63), Mulgrew, Lenihan, Evans, Vennett, Conway (Whittingham 55), Dack (Payne 55), Armstrong.
Subs not used: Leutwiler, Bell, Antonsson, Downing.
Booked: Lenihan (93).
Referee: Mr Tony Harrington
Attendance: 6,361 (840 Blackburn)