Steve Lovell showed his credentials for the Gillingham manager’s job as he guided the side to a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic.
Facing the League One leaders at Priestfield looked to be a daunting task for a Gills side that went into the game on the back of the 1-0 win at Peterborough United, but Lovell clearly has given the side confidence as they more than matched their opponents over the ninety minutes.
In truth, on another day, Gillingham could well have claimed all three points and seemed set to do so when Tom Eaves put the home side in front.
However, the visitors had other ideas and levelled with around ten minutes to go making it a nervous finale.
Going into the game, Lovell opted to rest Bradley Garmston and Mark Byrne after they featured at Peterborough, opting to utilise Sean Clare and Josh Parker as wing backs in an offensive looking line up.
The best chances of the first half fell to the Latics, but it was Gillingham that showed more character in a cagey opening forty five minutes.
Dan Burn headed over the crossbar from a corner and Michael Jacobs’ shooting was a constant threat, but Gillingham played with belief and would have taken a certain lead if Chey Dunkley had not stolen the ball away in a last-gasp challenge on Eaves.
Eaves made up for it after 55 minutes when he glanced home Sean Clare’s cross for the opener.
They could have doubled their lead eight minutes later when Eaves played in Josh Parker, who pulled a clear shot wide.
In the closing stages, a frustrated Wigan poured forward and got their reward when Sam Morsy calmly curled the ball into the net from 25 yards.
Wigan chased a winner but neither side were able to claim three points, meaning Wigan stay five unbeaten while caretaker Steve Lovell has now led Gillingham to a win and a draw in the past four days.
Lovell could still be in charge when Northampton Town now come to Priestfield on Saturday afternoon with the two sides sitting 22nd and 23rd in League One.
Gillingham line up: Holy, Ehmer, Zakuani, Ogilvie, Clare, Parker, Bingham, Hessenthaler, Martin, List (Wagstaff 78), Eaves (Cundle 83).
Subs not used: Nelson, O’Mara, Oldaker, Chapman, Wilkinson.
Goal: Eaves (55).
Wigan Athletic line up: Jones, Byrne, Dunkley, Burn, Elder, Morsy, Power, Massey (Roberts 71), Powell, Jacobs, Toney (Grigg 71 (Hunt 88)).
Subs not used: Sarkic, Perkins, Bruce, Thomas.
Goal: Morsy (82).
Booked: Morsy (84).
Referee: Mr Brett Huxtable.
Attendance: 4,705 (152 Wigan)