The Gills continued their pre-season warm up games with a tough workout against lively Blue Square Premier outfit Grays Athletic in sweltering conditions at the Recreation Ground.

Mark Stimson made several changes to the team which started against Faversham with Stuart Thurgood playing alongside captain Andrew Crofts in midfield whilst Gary Mulligan was partnered in attack by promising young striker Luke Rooney

Adam Miller carved out the Gills opening effort on goal bringing a save from Woolley with a low drive from the edge of the area in the seventh minute

As the half wore on the home side grew in confidence with Danny Kedwell testing Simon Royce with a good curling shot in the 16th minute but the Gills No 1 held it comfortably

Former Gills loan star Stuart Elliott forced Royce to make a diving save on 20 minutes to push his 20-yard goal bound shot over the cross bar.

Gary Mulligan should have scored for the Gills in the 23^rd minute but after pouncing on an under hit back pass he shot straight at the keeper

The home side continued to enjoy the better chances, on 25 minutes Stuart Thurgood's clearance fell nicely for Ex Gill Matt Bodkin but his low strike from the edge of the area rolled harmlessly through for Royce to gather

Grays pressure paid off on 29 minutes as a deep Sam Sloma corner was met at the far post by Danny Kedwell who nodded into the top right hand corner despite Barry Fuller's best efforts on the line.

At the other end Gills experimental strike force toiled hard but struggled to carve out a chance of note.

Gillingham First Half: Simon Royce, Tom Wynter, Barry Fuller, Simon King, Mark Bentley, Adam Miller, Stuart Thurgood, Andrew Crofts, Charlie Howard, Luke Rooney, Gary Mulligan

Grays First Half: Joe Woolley, Sam Sloma, Jamie Stuart, Fabian Wilnis, Alex Campana, Barry Cogan, Stuart Elliott, Matt Bodkin, Danny Kedwell, Jamie Taylor

Mark Stimson made wholesale changes at half time pairing Jackson and Oli in attack as well as employing trialists Nigel Atangana in midfield and Leo Roget in defence

It was Gillingham who fashioned the first effort on 51 minutes when good work by John Nutter teed up Simeon Jackson but his snap shot sailed over the crossbar.

The second half was a far more open affair with both sides finding plenty of time and space on the ball but failing to create any clear cut chances

On 73 minutes the game took a bizarre twist as Grays John Munday went off injured leaving them reduced to ten men. The home side had exhausted their replacements and the referee refused to allow a substituted player to re-enter the field.

Not surprisingly the Gills began to take control and came close to scoring on 78 minutes when Tayler Thomas crossed for Simeon Jackson but he headed wide from 5 yards.

With time running out John Nutter sent a dangerous cross to the near post but Woolley in the Grays goal gathered bravely at the feet of the onrushing Jackson

Gills final chance of the half came in added time with Stuart Lewis blazing wide after more good work from Jackson.

The Gills will be looking to bounce back when they continue their pre-season preparations with the visit of Ipswich Town to the krbs Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday

Gills Second Half: Alan Julian, John Nutter, Danny Walder, Garry Richards, Leo Roget, Rory Hill, Stuart Lewis, Nigel Atangana, Tayler Thomas, Dennis Oli, Simeon Jackson

Grays Second Half: Joe Woolley, Kenny Davis, John Ashton, John Munday, Adam Gross, Steffan Bailey, Alex Campana, Mark Molesley, Ishmael Welsh, Danny Bartram, Charlie Ide

Attendance 425