Manager Neil Harris feels it was a point gained and not two dropped as The Gills drew 3-3 at Swindon Town on Saturday.

Having led 3-1 at the break, Gillingham fans could be forgiven for thinking their side were going to make it three wins on the trot, but it was to be a topsy turvy game at the County Ground.

Swindon Town took the lead after 58 seconds when a cross was half cleared by Gillingham straight to Jonny Williams, who volleyed into the corner of the net.

The Gills answered back straight away as Tom Nichols picked out Tim Dieng with a cross and he diverted it beyond Sol Brynn.

Inside 10 minutes Gillingham had taken the lead as they were awarded a penalty for handball, which Will Wright tucked into the bottom corner.

After 13 minutes the visitors whipped in a free-kick from the left and Nichols helped it on its way into the far corner of the net.

Austin scored a second half brace as first he powered home a penalty and then got on the end of a Rushian Hepburn-Murphy cross to equalise with 10 minutes remaining.

Saidou Khan got a second yellow shortly after as he prevented a counter attack with a foul on the halfway line.

Having seen his side cling on for a point against the ten men, Gillingham boss Neil Harris said: “I’m delighted to get a point on the road again. So another point gained that pushes in the right direction.”

“Three games unbeaten and seven points out of nine, three goals scored, we have now scored seven in three games, we scored seven in 23 before that, so it’s a massive step.”

“All I said to the players my only disappointment is our decision making in the second half was really poor which led to probably the second or third goals. I thought the referee’s decision making the second half was even worse.”

“But it’s a point gained, so sometimes you throw away a two-goal lead. I don’t think we necessarily threw it away. I think Swindon earned it.”

Harris is now expected to spend the next few days liasing with Kenny Jackett and Andy Hessenthaler as Gillingham look to make more additions to their squad ahead of the January transfer window closing on Tuesday night.

A striker, left back and midfielder are all expected to be priorities as Harris assembles a squad capable of pulling clear of the League Two relegation zone, but also has one eye on next season and a promotion push.