Gillingham’s vice skipper Stuart O’Keefe was thrilled to have the Priestfield crowd back on Saturday.

The match against Lincoln City - which ended 1-1 - was the first home league game played infront of fans since February 29, 2020.

“We really missed them for 18 months,” said the midfielder.

“It really gives the game an edge, makes a difference, you can really feel the Rainham End alost trying to pull the ball into the net, which is a massive plus for us.”

The crowd watched Danny Lloyd stab home an equaliser and the Gills claim a point against one of the fancied teams in the division, Lincoln.

O’Keefe felt the team improved after the break as they settled.

“Second half we had a bit more of a go,” he said. “On another day we possibly might have nicked it, it is good to be off the mark, good to be back infront of a crowd and good to get the season rolling, onwards and upwards really.

“They got the early goal which always knocks you out of your stride, everything goes out of the window a bit, but we grew into the game and people could see we were more confident and we believed a bit more, got closer to their players and put them under a bit more pressure.

“The goal just before half time helped, giving us a real belief that we could actually beat them, we could hurt them and we showed that in the second half.

“Ideally we would have liked the second goal, to get three points, and get up and running but they will feel they had chances as well.”

Chairman Paul Scally welcomed fans back in after 525 days away, greeting them on the turnstiles.

Read more on the Gills;

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• Former vice chairman back in court over fraud claims

• 'He will do great for us' - Evans on Gillingham new boy