Alan Julian’s late penalty save ensured Gillingham took a point from their match against Brighton on Tuesday night.

Julian guessed right to save from Glenn Murray in front of the Rainham End to help the Gills to another precious point in their League 1 survival battle.

Gillingham had an epic second 45 minutes at Priestfield after finding themselves a goal down. Adam El-Abd scored with just five minutes gone from a corner, leaving the Gills with an uphill task of getting anything from the match.

After failing to find an equaliser in the first half , there was relief all-round when Adam Miller netted early in second.

Brighton had chances to bury the Gills, missing several good opportunities, while at the other end , substitute Chris Dickson hit the post late on.

Murray, who missed a number of chances from open play, also failed from the spot with three minutes to go as Julian saved. He had been fouled in the box by Josh Gowling and the Gills defender was sent - off to leave the hosts battling with 10 men in the final minutes.

Gills boss Mark Stimson was dealt a blow before the match with the news that defender Garry Richards would be out for the rest of the season with a broken toe and ankle ligament damage.

That, coupled with the loss of Darren Dennehy to a back injury at half-time, didn’t help matters.

Stimson said: “Overall I have to say it could be a decent point. There were a lot of plusses and I don’t think we deserved to be 1-0 down at half-time

“At half-time , I said ‘let’s go out there, let’s put our shoulders back and have a go. You won’t probably get as much encouragement as you deserve but let’s go for it and whatever happens happens’.

“Full credit to them and the one who gets all the stick (Adam Miller) comes up with the goal . It was a fantastic individual finish.”

Stimson had no complaints over the late penalty that could have proved costly.

He added: "It was a penalty and a sending - off . It wasn’t the best defending.

“While Josh is walking off, I’m thinking to myself, ‘it’s not going to be, it’s not meant to be’ but Alan has pulled off the penalty save and that point might be the difference.”

The opening goal was headed in at the near post past Gills keeper Alan Julian during a frantic start to the game which could have got even worse for the hosts.

Julian had to palm away Elliott Bennett’s long range free-kick and Lee Hendrie had a shot deflected just over following a mistake at the back.

The Gills gradually worked their way back into the game but the goal didn’t come. Dennis Oli came the closest for the home side but his shot from close range lacked the power to beat keeper Peter Brezovan.

Gillingham’s second - half hopes weren’t helped by the loss of Darren Dennehy at half-time. He was suffering from a back injury sustained at the weekend and was replaced by Tom Wynter.

Just four minutes of the second half had gone and the Gills were back level when Rene Howe’s flick was picked up by Miller and after beating one defender , he tucked the ball away low into the net.

The Gills had the edge but they needed luck to keep Brighton from re-taking the lead when Murray burst through. He was one on one with keeper Julian but shot well wide.

Gills leading scorer Simeon Jackson was introduced from the bench on the hour and within seconds he was denied by Brezovan who raced out to block the shot.

Murray missed another good chance on 70 minutes as Gillingham continued to ride their luck.

It was Brighton’s turn to hold their breath with 10 minutes to go when Danny Jackman’s free-kick fell to substitute Dickson but striker's shot bounced off the post.

At the other end , Brighton’s woeful finishing returned as Gary Dicker blazed a good chance wide as they counter-attacked.

Drama late on saw Gowling foul Murray in the box and he was sent - off but the Brighton man was unable to convert the spot-on

Gills: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Dennehy (Wynter 46mins), Gowling, Weston, Barcham, Miller (Jackson 60mins), Jackman, Howe (Dickson 72mins), Oli. Subs: Royce, Lewis, Maher, Bentley.

Brighton: Brezovan, ElAbd, Lua Lua (Barnes 59mins), Arismendi (Navarro 69mins), Murray, Calderon, Crofts, Virgo, Bennett, Hoyte, Hendrie (Dicker 79mins). Subs: Elphick, Walker, Carole, Holroyd.

Attendance: 7,977

Above picture: Adam Miller celebrates scoring Gillingham's equaliser against Brighton - by Barry Goodwin

• A point gained or two lost? Can the Gills escape the drop now? Have your say by clicking on the comment facility.