Gillingham were held to a goaless draw in their latest pre-season friendly against a fiesty Calais side at Stade De L'Epopee.

After a leisurely start to the match, the home side nearly caught the Gills off guard with their first attack of match. Alexandre Danset's long pass sent Heredia Mayombo scampering away down the right flank, he pulled back to Maurice Sankhare whose first time shot from the edge of the box was well held by Simon Royce.

Soon after, Calais caused problems in the visitors defence with Gillingham struggling to clear their lines. The ball ricocheted to Sankhere who brought another good stop from Royce low to the keepers left.

Mark Stimson's injury headache increased in the 14^th minute when a late challenge felled Dennis Oli. The pacey forward limped off to be replaced by Mark McCammon.

The home team continued to look the more comfortable of the sides and got behind the Gills defence again after 16 minutes. Edwin Pindi's ball over the top found Heredia Mayombo on the right of goal but Royce was able to beat away his close range blast.

Gillingham's first serious opening came in the 35^th minute after a foul on Barcham on the left hand touchline. Palmer played it short to Barcham who cut in to the area before crossing low for Mark McCammon but despite holding off two defenders the giant striker couldn't apply the finish.

The clearance only found its way to Rashid Yusseff who brought a first save of the match from Cedric Shille with a low drive to the right corner.

HT 0-0

Mark Bentley entered the fray at the start of the second half in place of Rashid Yussuff but it was Calais who continued to enjoy the better of the action. A 48^th minute corner by Samuel Marque was headed across goal by Andy Barcham and Heredia Mayombo struck the outside of Royce's left hand post with a close range volley.

Four minutes later Mayombo caused trouble again, this time ghosting past Simon King before firing another effort which Royce batted away high to his left.

As the hour mark approached Gillingham began to look stronger in attack but it was Calais still looked the likelier to score. Sankhare raced down the left wing again and pulled back to his captain Briemalien on the edge of the box whose stinging drive brought another good stop from Simon Royce.

At the other end a Richards flicked Chris Palmer's free kick on to Mark McCammon but the striker headed over with the goal at his mercy.

A hotly contested affair threatened to boil over with 20 minutes to go as a yellow card for Barry Fuller was followed by a scything tackle on Palmer which resulted in bookings for Hurtrel and Maher. Josh Gowling later saw yellow too as the referee struggled to retain control.

A rash of substitutions in the later stages broke up the momentum of both sides but Stimson's biggest concern will be the fitness of Dennis Oli.

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Garry Richards (64 Josh Gowling), Simon King, John Nutter, Curtis Weston, Kevin Maher, Rashid Yussuff (46 Mark Bentley), Chris Palmer, Dennis Oli (17 Mark McCammon), Andy Barcham (73 Luke Rooney).

Subs not used: Alan Julian, Tom Wynter, Jack Payne, Luis Cumbers, Andy Pugh.