A shocking error from Coventry City keeper Luke Steele gave Gillingham the lead in a lively first half.

Steele let Darren Byfield's speculative 25-yarder through his fingers on 15 minutes and the ball squirmed into the goal.

Byfield should have met it 2-0 on 27 minutes after being set up by Mamady Sidibe but his shot was saved by Steele.

Sidibe was then denied by Steele six minutes later after a clever ball from Paul Smith.

Coventry made Gillingham pay for the missed chances in the 37th minute, when Dele Adebola headed home the equaliser from a Steve Staunton cross.