John Nutter battles for Gillingham during the 1-1 draw with Exeter

By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham doubled their away points tally in League 1 with a deserved draw at Exeter on Monday.

Stuart Lewis scored his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw, but things could have been better for Mark Stimson's side, who are still seeking their first away win of the season, after they had enough chances to take win.

The Gills had the majority of the first-half opportunities, but failed to make the most of them. It was the same story at the start of the second half.

They were made to pay for their poor finishing, though, when the Grecians went ahead on 68 minutes with a long-range shot from Richard Duffy.

Gillingham's reply was swift, with Lewis scoring from just inside the area to restore parity two minutes later.

John Nutter had the first of several chances in the opening half but his effort flew wide after three minutes. Further opportunities came and went, but Exeter keeper Paul Jones was hardly troubled early on.

Simeon Jackson, pictured left, saw a weak effort gathered with ease and another effort moments later was also safely dealt with by Jones.

Dennis Oli put a shot into the side netting, while at the other end Marcus Stewart proved to be the home side’s biggest threat. He had two shots that were deflected wide in the opening half hour.

Rashid Yussuff, making his first start for the Gills in place of the injured Febian Brandy, was denied a goal after his header from Chris Palmer’s cross was palmed wide by Jones. Lewis also shot wide and Oli missed the target again as Gillingham ended the half on top.

The hosts had the first chance at the start of the second half, but Gills keeper Alan Julian was equal to Bertrand Cozic's shot.

Gills, however, continued to pepper the Exeter goal with shots. Yussuff, pictured below, hit one effort from distance wide and Oli went close on two more occasions.

Jackson also bent a shot off target after 65 minutes before Duffy picked the ball up from 30 yards out and his effort, after a slight deflection, nestled in the bottom corner.

The visitors bounced back almost immediately when Palmer’s cross was smashed in by Lewis.

Exeter went close to a second when Alex Russell’s shot from outside the area hit the post, and they continued to press towards the latter stages.

Stimson, however, felt his side were well worthy of the point.

"In the first half we were outstanding," he said. "We created some good chances and there was some great inter-play.

"I asked the players to go out and try and reproduce again in the second half and the boys did.

"Unfortunately Exeter got a goal from a deflection, but credit to the players. They didn’t give up and they could have quite easily done so because of the nature of the goal.

"Stuart Lewis gets his first goal for the club with a fantastic strike and we certainly deserved something. If we hadn’t it would have been a horrible journey home."

Lewis said: "It was a great feeling to get my first league goal in my career. I’ve come close before, but that’s a great feeling."

Gillingham: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Fry (Wynter 82mins), Lewis, Maher, Bentley, Palmer, Yussuff, Oli, Jackson (McCammon 84mins). Subs not used: Locke, Erskine, Rooney, Payne.

Exeter: Jones, Tully, Duffy, Seaborne, Taylor, Harley, Stansfield (Fleetwood 72mins), Golbourne, Cozic (Russell 66mins), Stewart, Dunne (Logan 46mins). Subs not used: Marriott, Edwards, Saunders, Sercombe.

Attendance: 5,761.

Gillingham winger Dennis Oli asks questions of the Exeter defence

Big match pictures by Barry Goodwin.