Gillingham's youngsters made the perfect start to their Youth Alliance league derby with Millwall, opening the scoring just six minutes into the first half. A well worked corner routine saw Connor Essam connect with Jack Evans cross before planting a precise downward header beyond the keeper's reach.

The home side looked rampant in the early stages and spurned two great chances to increase their advantage, both openings coming from crosses by impressive Under-16 winger Nathan Nyafli.

On 20 minutes Nyafli instigated the host's second goal, playing a fine reverse ball that dissected the Lions full-back and centre half for Tom Murphy to run onto. The keeper was able to block the striker's initial effort but Murphy won the ensuing scramble to double Gillingham's lead.

Millwall took advantage of a moment's confusion in the Gills back four to reduce the deficit moments later. As the defence appealed an infringement, the Lions winger played on and cut back for his forward to punish their host's complacency.

The scores remained the same at the interval whilst the second half was a much more open affair with opportunities at both ends though neither side looked like adding to their tally.

Gillingham seemed destined to secure all three points until the 93^rd minute when a long ball forward fell to full back Jack Evans who found the net with a stunning 20 yard volley, sadly for Jack it was at the wrong end!

Speaking after the match Manager Mark Patterson sympathised with young Jack's misfortune, saying "He's taken a bit of a ribbing over it but we've told him to be proud of it as it's one of those goals he can never score again.

"We actually tried on Monday morning and threw ten balls up to him and he couldn't do it again."

Despite the draw Patterson was keen to highlight the positives of his team's performance adding, "Our last game at Dagenham was a lacklustre performance so this was a vast improvement. We more much more positive and looked like we were going to create something.

Jack Evans had probably his best game this season at right-back. Nathan on the right wing did very well; he was bright and aggressive with his running. Generally everything about the team was that little bit sharper and better."

Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Jack Evans, Connor Essam, Callum Davies, James Brown, Nathan Nyafli, Tom Brunt, Alex Brown, Dean Rance, Callum Day (Liam Geering 80), Tom Murphy.

Subs not used: Ryan Benniman, Ashley Bourne, Josh Sargeant, Sam Fisher