Gillingham’s second trip into Essex in the space of two days ended in a draw.

The Gills were made to work hard by their hosts and were hit with another injury as new signing Scott Wagstaff limped off early in the second half.

Billericay were denied several times by keeper Stuart Nelson moments before Bradley Dack struck the opener for Gills on 76 minutes.

The home side levelled the scores soon after to claim a draw.

Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh named another strong team in what was their second trip to Essex in two days.

Emmanuel Osadebe was back in the centre of defence, this time partnering Max Ehmer, before returning to the pitch to play midfield in the second half.

Young midfielder Darren Oldaker, who impressed during Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Concord, was handed a start in the defensive midfield role as the Gills again lined up 4-4-2.

Gills keeper Stuart Nelson was forced into tipping one Billericay effort over the bar and got down well to deny the hosts when they got in behind the defence.

Gillingham weren’t short of chances themselves, with many coming towards the latter stages of the half.

Jake Hessenthaler had already guided a long-range chance into the goalkeeper’s hands early on, while Joe Quigley shot wide and Donnelly went the same way.

It was Irishman Donnelly who had the best chance of the half. A corner was taken by Billy Knott and after a one-two with Lee Martin, Donnelly headed the resulting cross at the keeper.

Edinburgh made changes at the break and started the second half with a back four made up entirely of trialists. Josh Lelan and Tom Wraight were two of those involved.

The Gills’ injury curse continued as Wagstaff limped off injured just moments after coming on at the break. His replacement Byrne struck the bar just moments after coming on.

Billericay had a good chance themselves with a shot that bounced off the upright and Nelson had to make four great saves within quick succession around the 70 minute mark, turning three efforts wide and saving another with his feet.

Despite the flurry of chances for the home side, the Gills took the lead when Dack slotted home a Cody McDonald cross.

That lead didn’t last long, however, as the Billericay no.9 Josh Oyinsah scored a goal on the turn to level things up two minutes later.

Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson (Lelan 46mins), Williams (Wraight 46mins), Ehmer (Trialist 46mins), Osadebe (Trialist 46mins), Oldaker (Osadebe 70mins), Hessenthaler (Dack 60mins), Knott (Wagstaff 46mins (Byrne 54mins), Martin (McDonald 60mins), Donnelly (Norris 60mins), Quigley (Wright 60mins).