Cambridge United 1 Gillingham 1

DESPITE dominating the game, Gillingham needed a deflected Darren Byfield effort to secure a draw away to Conference side Cambridge United on Saturday.

Matt Jarvis deserved a goal in the 17th minute when he broke clear and beat three defenders only to see his shot parried by goalkeeper Paul Crichton and Byfield miss the follow-up.

Soon after Tom Williams’ first appearance for the club was cut short when he hobbled off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Richard Rose.

Byfield shot over after good work from Darius Henderson and Danny Jackman, who signed a two-year contract on Thursday, and spurned another great chance set up by Michael Flynn.

The Welshman himself was the next Gills player to fail to hit the target after a searching cross from Jarvis.

Then against the run of play Cambridge took the lead when Parys Okai found the net with a delicate chip in the 65th minute.

The Gills finally found the net in the 71st minute through Byfield, although his effort required a hefty deflection off Adam Davies to beat replacement keeper Darren Behcet.

Gillingham: Bullock, Wallis, Hope (trialist 56), Cox, Williams (Rose 19), Jarvis, Hessenthaler (Crofts 74), Flynn (Pouton 56), Jackman, Henderson (trialist 67), Byfield (Wilson-Denis 74).

Attendance: 870.