Gillingham sealed their first point in the Premier League U21 Cup on Tuesday evening following a fine performance in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The Terriers took the lead through Jahkyah Blake in the first-half, only for Zac Whitelock to equalise less than ten minutes later.
Both sides had chances in the second period, but the points were ultimately shared.
Pete Gill was at the helm and was able to name Zane Albarus as Captain. Rohan Luthra started in goal with Sulli Booth, Cruz Beszant, Louie Dayal and Alex Zinici all offering attacking options.
Huddersfield named the experienced Jonathan Hogg in their team with George Iorpenda also in the XI.
The game got off to a fairly even start but the visitors took the lead, in controversial circumstances, when the referee appeared to impede Louie Dayal as he went to make an interception. The ball broke for Huddersfield and Blake got a shot away, placing an effort across Luthra into the right corner.
The hosts rallied well, responding within eight minutes through Whitelock. Teddy James had the ball on the left side of the box and smartly guided a looping cross back into the box where Whitelock was waiting and, from six yards, guided an effort beyond Hugo Bennett.
He came close to bagging his second on 33 minutes, but his powerful effort from inside the box was well saved.
Five minutes later and a crucial block prevented Gills from adding a second. Whitelock did well on the left wing to beat his man and he made space to pick out Dayal. Louie’s effort towards the opposite corner was brilliantly deflected wide for a corner which was defended.
H/T: Gillingham 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Thomas Silva replaced Albarus at the break with the midfielder getting an important 45 minutes in the tank, however a second sub was needed just before the hour with Whitelock departing due to an apparent wrist injury, and Tade Kpotie came on to replace him.
Chances were few and far between, although James went close on 74 minutes when his header was guided just wide following an excellent delivery from Beszant.
Luthra made a superb stop in the closing stages, getting his fingertips on a low drive from Michael Onyeka.
F/T: Gillingham 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Gillingham: Luthra, Webster, James, Luxton, Adams (Jones 87), Albarus (Silva 46), Booth, Dayal, Beszant, Zinici (Broster 77), Whitelock (Kpotie 57)
Unused subs: Spencer, Procopi, Thomas
Huddersfield: Bennett, Cheema, Tawodzera, Iorpenda, Togo, Hogg, Bowker, Schofield, Blake (Fontoh 69), Spencer, Onyeka
Unused subs: Hughes, Wrigglesworth, Shelton, Key
Attendance: 285
Referee: Mr C Walchester
