In an explosive and fiery Den, Gillingham managed to secure a 1-1 draw to bring them on level points with Crewe Alexandra, who failed to get anything from their tie with Southend United. A first half free-kick from Gills right-back Nicky Southall gave Mark Stimson's men a deserved lead but, after some sustained Millwall pressure in the second half, the scores were levelled thanks to a Paul Robinson strike.

Over 1,300 Gillingham fans had made the trip up the A2 to south London and began immediately to bring a slice of KRBS Priestfield to The Den, as they completely out sung a edgy Millwall crowd. Apart from some sporadic, and really quite annoying, monotone chanting from the home crowd, the Gillingham faithful were in top form and settled to enjoy their afternoon no matter what.

However, it was Millwall who managed to gain first blood on the pitch, with a couple of quick fire chances in the 7th and 9th minute. The first came from a decent Ahmet Brkovic cross into the box, which was directed into Derek Stillie's hands from striker Neil Harris. Then, another decent cross saw Gills midfielder, Mark Bentley, head horribly close to his own goal but thankfully the ball ran just wide.

A minute later, Millwall had another effort go close. Brkovic, who was to see some adverse reactions from the home fans later in the match, swivelled 20 yards out and his shot was watched over the bar by a comfortable Stillie.

It was that man Brkovic again who finished off some early pressure when his dipping volley from 25 yards was palmed away by Stillie. The ball seemed to be there to be caught, but the Gills keeper had to make sure and put it to safety.

Gillingham forged their first chance in the 22nd minute through Andrew Crofts. The Gills captain, looking for his 6th goal of the season, picked the ball up in the middle of the park from an Adam Miller pass and struck a decent effort from 20 yards. However, unlike some his recent long range efforts, this one sailed over the bar.

It was to soon not to matter as Nicky Southall bagged his first goal of the season on 26 minutes. From just outside the box, slightly off centre, the Gills defender stepped up and curled in a perfect strike that had keeper Rhys Evans desperately flying across his goal, but he was not quick enough as the ball settled in the top left hand corner. The goal sent the Den silent and the Gills fans into ecstasy.

The goal knocked the wind out of Kenny Jackett's men and the game delved into a period of sloppy passing and long balls, with neither team really impressing. The Millwall fans became increasingly frustrated at their team's apparent inability to pass the ball to each other as, on many occasions, the ball would be played out of touch or straight into the path of a Gillingham player.

Fans had to wait until the 34th minute for the next chance and it fell to a yellow shirt. Simeon Jackson, who had done well in holding the ball up on his own all afternoon, fought hard to win the ball on the near touchline and managed to squeeze a pass to Crofts, but his shot was dragged wide of the far post.

The Lions came close deep into first half injury time when Danny Senda, who had looked exciting all afternoon, finished off a mazy run through the Gillingham defence with a difficult shot across the goal. Stillie was well positioned to get a strong forearm to it and pushed it away as Danny Cullip cleared up with a strong header.

It was a first half where the atmosphere far outweighed the action, but the Gills would have gone into the break far the happier side.

Gillingham were forced into two substitutions, striker Georges Ba came on for a tiring Dennis Oli and Leroy Griffiths replaced a crocked Adam Miller.

Indeed, Millwall had a glorious opportunity to bring the scores level with only five minutes on the clock. Full-back Danny Senda sent in a teasing ball that floated into the six yard box where Brkovic was waiting, with no marker and all the time in the world, but he somehow managed to nod it wide. It was by far the home side's best effort of the game.

Barry Fuller, who was playing in an uncharacteristic left-back role, then forged two decent opportunities for himself with the second a carbon copy of the first. His first opportunity fell to him when he found some space by cutting into the centre of pitch and unleashing a decent low drive that fizzed into the keeper's arms.

His next came as he again cut in onto his right foot, but this time his effort had a little more power to it and it flew past the far post.

The home crowd finally began to offer some support to their side and it seemed to have an immediate effect as their team began to push forward in search of the equaliser. They came close on 70 when Andy Frampton's cross-cum-shot from the left wing, flew over Stillie's post. The Gills shot stopper seemed happy to let it sail over and barely gave it a glance as it travelled over his head, but it was a lot closer than he may have thought and it had the home fans holding their heads in their hands.

The noise in the stadium grew to fever pitch as both sets of supporters threw their full support behind their players. Unfortunately, it was Millwall who were lifted the highest as they managed to grab the equaliser in the 77th minute. Defender Paul Robinson, who had stayed high from a corner, latched onto the ball as it dropped to him just inside the area and his first time strike beat Stillie. It was a clean, crisp strike and many would concede that the Lion's sustained second half pressure deserved reward.

However, many would not agree that they were worthy of the lead had an 82nd minute effort found the back of the net. A cross into the box was pushed out by Stillie but the ball simply rebounded off of Marc Laird's head and back over the helpless Gills keeper. Fortunately, it had a little too much power in it and it floated over the bar and rested on the top of the net.

It was to be the last effort of the game, with some Millwall pressure never resulting in a clear effort on goal. The point now means that Gillingham are on level points with Crewe Alexandra, yet stay in the relegation zone thanks to a poorer goal difference. Mark Stimson's men are next in action next Saturday when table-toppers, Swansea City, are visitors to KRBS Priestfield. To book your tickets, please call the GFC Ticket Office on 01634 300 000.

Gillingham; 22.Derek Stillie, 4. Danny Cullip, 5 Simon King, 7 Andrew Crofts, 8 Mark Bentley, 11 Nicky Southall, 20 Simeon Jackson, 28 Dennis Oli, 36 Adam Miller, 37 Garry Richards, 38 Barry Fuller.

Substitutes 13 Chris Kiely, 2 Donovan Simmonds, 24 Georges Ba, 30 Leroy Griffiths, 27 Kevin Maher

Millwall; 24 Rhys Evans, 2 Danny Senda, 3 Andy Frampton, 5 Paul Robinson, 9 Neil Harris, 11 Ryan Smith, 17 Bas Savage, 22 Ali Fuseini, 25 Ahmet Brkovic, 26 Marc Laird, 42 Tony Craig.

Substitutes; 1 Lenny Pidgeley, 18 David Martin, 19 Jay Simpson, 30 Marcus Bignot, 41 Jem Kracan