Gillingham's youngsters gave a good account of themselves against a strong Seagulls side which included former Spurs and current Brighton Assistant Manager Mauricio Tarrico, and trialist midfielder Diego Camacho who numbers Valladolid and Sporting Gijon amongst his former clubs.

In a first half of few openings, it was the visitors that created the first chance of the match after Jason Norville had been brought down by Grant Hall on the edge of the box. Luke Rooney fired his free-kick straight into the wall and Alex Brown thumped the rebound over the bar.

That proved to be the Gills last clear cut chance as Brighton took control of the game. Two minutes later, at the opposite end, a well worked short corner routine by Caskey and Baz resulted in Steve Cook heading narrowly over.

Connor Essam brought down Chris Holroyd just outside the area on 19 minutes and was doubtless relieved to see Cristian Baz hit the resulting free-kick straight at Lance Cronin.

The Gills were forced to shuffle their pack on the half hour, George Humber replacing the injured Norville after a break-in-play for the former Barnet forward to receive treatment.

Four minutes later the visitors had a lucky escape when Jack Parter sliced his clearance from Battipiedi's weak shot onto his own post, fortunately for the first year apprentice the rebound carried straight into the arms of a grateful Cronin.

Gary Hart's surging run saw Brighton strike the woodwork for the second time, three minutes before the half-time break. The experienced campaigner held off the attentions of Callum Davies before hitting Cronin's left-hand upright with a low shot from the right-hand corner of the box.

HT 0-0

Mauricio Tarrico made way for Brighton at the start of the second half while both sides were forced to make further changes early on due to injury. Manager's son Jake Hessenthaler replaced Alex Brown for the Gills while Grant Hall limped off for the hosts.

Sub James Smith created a great opening for the Seagulls with a powerful run down the left wing, his pull back found Holroyd in the centre, who shaped to shoot from the edge of the box, but blazed over the crossbar.

Soon after Cristian Baz cut in from the right channel but dragged his finish wide of Cronin's left-hand upright as the Gills found themselves fighting a rearguard action.

On 59 minutes George Humber attempted to redress the balance of play, beating two men with a run from the right that sadly ended with a weak effort directed straight at Mitchell Walker.

At the other end Jack Evans had to take evasive action to clear Andrew Whing's header off the line after the Seagulls defending climbed above the visitors defence to connect with Smith's corner from the left.

Gary Hart found space on the right to fire a shot across goal in the 65^th minute after the veteran had broken clear of the Gills defence to meet a ball over the top. While soon after Leon Redwood collected a pass from Baz before drawing a stop from Cronin with a powerful low drive that had the Gills custodian scrambling to gather.

On 74 minutes Redwood tried his luck from similar distance, this time stinging Cronin's glove with a rising drive that reached the Gills keeper at a good height.

Ten minutes from time Andy White laid the ball off for Luke Rooney to chance his arm from distance, the livewire midfielder sending a ferocious drive flashing past the Seagulls far post as the home defence began to tire.

With just three minutes left on the clock Holroyd had the chance to steal a win but fired over the crossbar with an angled drive from the left side of goal. While Mitchell Walker was at full stretch to push Rooney's last gasp effort around the post.

Jake Caskey went closer still at the death, collecting a neat pull-back before hitting a shot from the edge of the box that struck the Gills crossbar but all to no avail as the points were shared at Culver Road. 

Gillingham: Lance Cronin, Jack Evans, Connor Essam, Callum Davies, Jack Parter (Josh Hare 80), Alex Brown (Jake Hessenthaler 48), Luke Rooney, James Brown, Andy White, Jason Norville (George Humber 30), Ryan Benniman.

Subs not used: Nathan Nyafli, Daren Hawkes

Brighton: Mitchell Walker, Andrew Whing, Mauricio Tarrico (James Smith 46), Steve Cook, Grant Hall (Leon Redwood 51), Jake Caskey, Gary Hart, Diego Camacho (Ryan Thomson 75), Chris Holroyd, Cristian Baz, Agustin Battipiedi.