Justin Edinburgh was happy with a point at Southend but felt it could have been three.

The Gills were backed by almost 2,000 fans at Roots Hall but had to come from behind to claim a share of the spoils.

Boss Edinburgh said: “It was a very good performance and we were extremely unfortunate to go behind in the game but we kept composure and thoroughly deserved the point, if not three.”

Gillingham dominated the opening exchanges but couldn’t find a goal and were behind on 21 minutes.

It wasn’t until the second half that Luke Norris levelled things up.

Edinburgh said: “When you start as well as we did and dominate, the only thing missing was the goal. Cruelly there was a bit of misfortune in our own area, it fell to their boy and he dispatched it.

“We had a little rocky spell for five or 10 minutes thereafter but we regained our composure, finished the first half well and dominated the second.”

A great save towards the end denied Dominic Samuel a winner.

“From where we were sitting it looked like it was going to go in,” said the manager.

“Credit to them, people have thrown their bodies in the way and got the blocks, but it was a keenly competed derby, fairly, and it was a good spectacle.

“I was pleased with the finish. We had some real good balls going into the box, without really getting across defenders but it was a typical striker’s goal, it was a great ball in and he (Norris) executed it very well.”