Former Gills boss Tony Pulis was happy to see his new side Stoke earn their first point under his charge on his return to Priestfield.
The game rose from a mediocre first 45 minutes to a lively second half, sparked off by both goals being scored in the space of four minutes just after the re-start.
Much had been made about Pulis' latest return to Kent, his third visit back since being sacked for alleged misconduct in the summer of 1999.
His case for unfair dismissal went all the way to the High Court before both parties settled two days into the hearing, but the fall out from his bust up with chairman Paul Scally still rumbles on.
The Gills match programme contained a strongly worded statement on the whole affair by the chairman but Pulis shrugged it off afterwards, saying: “I have not read it myself and I will be giving it to someone else to have a look at.
“I have still got fantastic memories of this club, the people, the supporters and players and if somebody else wants to spout off that’s up to them.†On the pitch both teams employed a 4-3-3 formation, with Gills player-manager Andy Hessenthaler missing the game because of a one-match ban.
Stoke drafted in on-loan keeper Mark Crossley, signed from Middlesbrough but he handed Gillingham the lead allowing Paul Shaw's shot to go under his body and into the net.
To their credit though Stoke continued to battle away and they equalised four minutes later.
Having won a free-kick on the edge of the area they made it count as James O'Connor touched the ball to Clive Clarke who let fly from 25 yards, giving Gills keeper Jason Brown no chance.
Crossley then almost gifted Shaw a second dropping Marlon King's cross, only for Shaw to blast over.
However he made amends with a superb last-ditch block to keep out a fierce drive from Gills skipper Paul Smith.
Afterwards Hessenthaler said: “I could not praise the spirit and commitment of my players. It's another point on the board but really and I truly think we should have got all three.â€