With both sides naming a fair sprinkling of first team talent in their line-ups there was a distinctly competitive edge to this reserve outing, played out in glorious autumn sunshine at krbs Priestfield.

Gillingham had a fair shout for a penalty turned down after just six first half minutes. Rooney's through ball sent Erskine clear in the Seagulls box but after rounding McNulty he was unceremoniously dumped on his backside by the aforementioned full back, the referee however remained unmoved.

As Brighton settled down a good break down the right found Alan Navarro in a promising position, he turned two defenders before striking a dipping effort that was just too high to drop in at the far post.Soon after Jamie Smith held the ball up well on the edge of thebox allowing Glenn Murray to plant a strong shot inches over the crossbar.

At the other end Dean Rance climbed well to meet a Rooney corner but headed wide of Smith's right hand post before Rooney himself saw a low effort well blocked after the visitors had failed to clear another corner.

On the half hour the Gills came close to breaking the deadlock after Miller's cross field pass allowed Yussuff to break into the box, Erskine laid off to Rooney who tried to chip the keeper with a lob the far post that was sadly too strong to find the target. 

HT 0-0

The visitors began the second half with a renewed sense of purpose and were unfortunate not to snatch an early lead as Hart held off Wynter for Jamie Smith to shoot low into the side netting. Brighton kept up the pressure should have gone in front from McLeod's 50th minute corner which fizzed invitingly across the face of goal with no red shirt able to apply the finish.

In the 56th minute McLeod had Alan Julian at full stretch to tip over his rasping drive from wide on the left as the Seagulls continued to threaten. Their pressure finally paid dividends just before the hour mark as the Gills failed to clear their lines allowing Hart to cross for Glenn Murray to head home at Julian's left hand post.

The goal brought a change of formation from Stimson with second year apprentices Tom Murphy and Charlie Stimson coming on to lead the line. Moments later the home side nearly levelled as Luke Rooney collected a short corner before drawing a stunning save from Greame Smith with a thunderbolt from the narrowest of angles.

Gillingham went in search of an equaliser and nearly found it from Rooney's 67th minute free-kick but Wynter's far post header struck the crossbar and Murphy headed into the keeper's hands from the rebound.

At the other end Murray drew a smart save from Julian with a low strike from close range before Alan Navarro's rising drive flashed wide of Julian's right hand upright.

The Gills finally found the equaliser their performance deserved in the 81st minute, Stimson's right wing pass found Rooney's run, the tricky winger flashed a shot towards the far post and Rashid Yussuff appeared unmarked to turn it in.

Scarcely had celebrations died down before Alan Julian was pulling the ball from the back of his net again. Hart's pass split the Gills defence allowing David Livermore to lash in a low drive from the edge of the box for 2-1.

A great save from Julian denied Steve Cook a third as the centre half headed powerfully goalwards from a corner. Then Hart's quick free-kick allowed George Barker a shot from the right of goal which Julian once again got down well to save.

Gillingham's second arrived in bizarre fashion with Greame Smith doing his back four no favours in the final minute. The Seagulls keeper raced out to clear a routine ball but miss kicked hideously to present Tom Murphy with a simple tap in to secure a share of the points.

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Oliver Bartrum (46 Callum Davies), John Nutter, Jack Payne, Tom Wynter, Connor Essam, Rashid Yussuff, Dean Rance (60 Tom Murphy), Jacob Erskine (60 Charlie Stimson) Adam Miller, Luke Rooney.

Subs not used: Conor Quinn, Liam Geering.

Brighton: Greame Smith, Lewis Ide, Jimmy McNulty (75 Lewis Dunk), David Livermore, Steve Cook, Rhys Whybourne, Jamie Smith (71 Steve Brinkhurst), Alan Navarro, Gary Hart, Glenn Murray (79 George Barker), Kevin McLeod

Subs not used: Joshua Pelling, James Smith.