Josh Rees scored a late equaliser as a young Gillingham side drew 1-1 with Sheppey United on Saturday.

Rees - who has turned down two offers to leave the Gills - was the most senior player in a squad made up largely of youth team members.

Fellow Gillingham pro Bradley Stevenson was also involved and he had the chance to get on the scoresheet but saw his spot-kick saved.

Southern Counties East hosts Sheppey rattled the crossbar in the opening moments of the match and the score remained goalless at the break.

It was The Ites who took the lead, scoring on 53 minutes through summer signing Steven Ita.

Home goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Wharton kept the lead intact when he saved a penalty from Stevenson, after he had been fouled in the box.

• First team game called off
• O'Keefe is perfectly placed

Sheppey played the final 15 minutes with 10 men, when another new recruit Ola Williams was sent off, and the Gills managed to find a late equaliser.

With five minutes left Rees scored from close range to level the match.

Gillingham: Walker, Lintott, Baker, Nelson, Bancroft, Lamb, Laing, Witt, Rees, Stevenson, Baker-Moran. Subs: Hards, Maher, Leach, 2xtrialists. Attendance: 318