Despite fielding a side comprised almost entirely of youth team players, the Shots started brightly and were unlucky not to steal the lead in the fourth minute. Hopkinson's far post corner was met by the head of Danny Hylton but the striker's finish sailed over the crossbar.
In response Luke Rooney tested keeper Masters with a fierce free-kick from just outside the box before Andy Pugh glanced a header wide of the Shots' far post. The visitors refused to lie down though and, at the other end Hylton fired wide with a low strike that failed to trouble Julian, while Adam Mekki dragged a tame effort wide of the right hand post.
Gillingham gained the upper hand as the half progressed with trialist Jerome Okimo making a great run behind the shots defence only to see his cross deflected into the side-netting. Soon after Rooney drove a low strike from outside the area, keeper Masters failed to hold it at the first attempt but recovered well to gather at the feet of Andy Pugh.
In the 31st minute, Pugh was brought down en route to goal, Rashid Yussuff elected to take the resulting free-kick and sent a powerful effort fizzing over the bar. Moments later Rooney blasted into the advertising boards behind the goal as the Gills imposed their authority on the match.
In the 41st minute the home side produced the best move of the half as Yussuff broke up play in midfield and pushed into the box before laying off for Andy Pugh. His shot from the right side of goal brought a fine stop from Clark Masters who dived quickly to his right to claw away a certain goal. Seconds later a Rooney corner fell for Palmer to blast but Masters pulled off a stunning point blank reaction save to maintain the deadlock at the break.
HT 0-0
In keeping with the first 45 minutes it was the visitors who made the brightest start to the second half with Hylton drawing a good stop from Julian to thwart his his low effort. Soon after Adam Mekki crashed a fierce volley over the crossbar as the Shots closed in on goal.
Both sides worked hard throughout the half but there was little goalmouth action to stir the sprinkling of supporters in the Medway Stand. Then with 20 minutes remaining both sides began to find space, first Hopkinson went close with a low effort that Julian was able to push to safety before Rooney crossed at the opposite end but sub Odunaike couldn't find a finish.
Anthony Charles far post header brought another good stop from the Gills custodian and shortly after John Grant found himself in the clear with only Julian to beat but rifled his effort into the Brian Moore Stand.
In the 82nd minute Chris Palmer reached the touchline and crossed from left, Luke Rooney applied a glancing header but his touch was too soft and drifted wide of the post.
Four minutes later Ben Hutchings cross from the right touchline was met by the head of Anthony Charles two yards from goal, he headed towards the far corner but somehow Julian was able to scoop away the danger.
In the dying seconds Chris Palmer collected a deep cross on the left and shrugged off his marker before shooting but the dependable Masters was able to gather at his near post.
Gillingham: Alan Julian, Jake Hall, Jerome Okimo, Connor Essam (Callum Davies 78), Tom Wynter, Rashid Yussuff, Kevin Maher, Luke Rooney, Andy Pugh (Gabriel Odunaike 68), Jacob Erskine (Charlie Stimson 78), Chris Palmer
Subs not used: Conor Quinn, Alex Brown.
Aldershot Town: Clark Masters, Ben Hutchings, Josh Casey, Bobby Hopkinson, Anthony Charles, Doug Bergqvist, Adam Mekki (Josh Pearson 68), Carlton Cox (Henrik Breimyr 82), John Grant, Danny Hylton, Reece Connolly (Max Worsfold 73).
Subs not used: James Pilgrim, Jordan Clement
