Ady Pennock had to settle for a point from his first game in charge at Priestfield.

Gillingham were deservedly ahead at the break with a goal from Deji Oshilaja.

Shrewsbury fought back and levelled through Alex Rodman, making amends after earlier missing an open goal.

Max Ehmer was denied a winner by the woodwork.

Reaction: Frustration for Gills boss after Shrewsbury fightback

Gills head coach Pennock was taking charge of his first game at Priestfield.

He made one change to his starting 11 as Chris Herd (concussion) was replaced in the team by Paul Konchesky.

New signing for the Gills

The Gills had a number of good chances during the first 45 minutes, Bradley Dack whipping a free-kick just wide early on.

Dack was in the thick of most things for the Gills as he looked to play in Cody McDonald at every opportunity. The striker was in on goal midway through the half but keeper Jayson Leutwiler made a great save when one-on-one.

Shrewsbury’s best chance fell to striker Freddie Ladapo but he showed a poor touch when Shaun Whalley’s impressive run caught the Gills on the break.

Keeper Stuart Nelson had to beat away a Joe Riley free-kick but it was the hosts who had been the better of the two teams during the half.

And it was from a Nelson ball forward that they took the lead, in the final minute of the half. The Gills keeper smashed Konchesky’s back-pass to Oshilaja and he got the better of defender Aristote Nsiala before finishing well.

The Gills almost caught Shrewsbury cold at the start of the second half. Within seconds of the restart McDonald’s angled drive was saved by Leutwiler.

Moments later the Gills had a let-off themselves. Ladapo got in on goal but was denied by Nelson. The follow-up from Abu Ogogo was blocked by Oshilaja.

Shrewsbury got even closer when Tyler Roberts played the ball across goal to leave Rodman with a tap-in but he somehow managed to hit the post instead.

Rodman did manage to level on 63 minutes, however, pouncing on a loose ball after Nelson had saved from Roberts.

Dack hit a free-kick narrowly over for the Gills.

Bradley Garmston was a surprise name on the bench and he came on with 20 minutes left, creating several good chances from the wing.

Ehmer hit a post for the Gills after McDonald had been denied by Leutwiler. Again Garmston had created the opening. The hosts continued to press and Josh Wright went narrowly wide with a volley.

Shrewsbury substitute Louis Dodds blazed a great chance over late on.

Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson, Konchesky, Ehmer, Oshilaja, Wright, Wagstaff, Hessenthaler, List (Garmston 72mins), Dack (Emmanuel-Thomas 90mins), McDonald (Donnelly 90mins). Subs not used: Holy, Knott, Osadebe, Byrne.

Shrewsbury: Leutwiler, Riley, Sadler, Whalley, Ogogo (Morris 87mins), Brown, Deegan, Ladapo (Humphrys 71mins), Nsiala, Rodman, Roberts (Dodds 77mins). Subs not used: Halstead, McGivern, Smith, El-Abd.

Attendance: 5,316 (223 away)