Gillingham and Bury shared the spoils from a lively draw at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

Neil Danns put the visitors in control of the game six minutes before the break with his first goal of the season, firing home from 15 yards following good play by Eoghan O’Connell.

But the hosts extended their unbeaten run to four games across all competitions thanks to Josh Parker’s 85th minute headed equaliser.

Gillingham started strongly as Sheffield Wednesday loanee Sean Clare fired narrowly wide after just 29 seconds having dispossessed Bury captain Phil Edwards.

After Danns had put the Shakers ahead, Michael Smith missed an opportunity to double their advantage in first-half stoppage time, volleying wide from Greg Leigh’s pinpoint cross.

Substitute Andrew Tutte almost sealed Bury’s victory 13 minutes from time, but his long-range shot rebounded off the post with keeper Tomas Holy beaten.

The Gills forced Bury goalkeeper Leo Fasan into a brilliant save to keep out Tom Eaves’ header shortly after the hour, but the Italian was well beaten by Parker’s late equaliser from Lee Martin’s corner.

The point sees The Gills climb one place to 21st in League One, whilst Bury drop to the bottom of the league.

Steve Lovell will hope to still be in charge when Gillingham travel to Walsall next Saturday.

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, Clare, Ogilvie, O’Neill, Ehmer, Byrne, Hessenthaler, Parker, Martin, List (Wilkinson H/T), Eaves.

Subs not used: Nelson, Simpson, Wagstaff, Chapman, Oldaker, Cundle.

Goal: Parker (85).

Booked: Ehmer (6), O’Neill (59).

Bury line up: Fasan, Leigh, O’Connell, Ajose, Williams, Edwards, Aldred, O’Shea (Reilly 88), Smith, Ince, Danns (Tutte 68).

Subs not used: Maguire, Humphrey, Whitmore, Sang, Moloney.

Goal: Dann (39).

Booked: Ince (25), Edwards (69), Williams (78).

Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 4,364 (141 Bury).

Picture supplied by Kent Pro Images.