A point each in South Yorkshire.
Alex Jakubiak took just half an hour to open his account for Gills as Steve Evans’ first game in charge of Gillingham ended all square at Doncaster in a 1-1 draw at the Keepmoat.
In what was a game of two halves in Yorkshire, the Gills came out of the traps quickly in the first half and were unlucky to not be clear at the break. The second half was a different game though and it took a strong rear guard display from the Gills backline to ensure they headed back to Kent with a point.
Steve Evans’ new look Gills side featured seven summer signings with Max Ehmer, Barry Fuller, Regan Charles-Cook and Brandon Hanlan involved from the start.
Roared on by over 600 fans, Gillingham made a bright start in Yorkshire, some neat build-up saw the ball fell kindly to Barry Fuller down the left-hand side but his cross across the face of goal was caught by Ian Lawlor without much hassle.
The first chance of note fell the way of the Gills. Brandon Hanlan battled with the Rovers defence before teeing up Regan Charles-Cook, he cut in but saw his shot cleared off the line - it was hard to tell from our angle whether it was going in.
Gills came even closer just moments later, Charles-Cook was again involved, this time winning the ball off a defender and teeing up Mikael Ndjoli but he shot agonisingly past the post from a tight angle.
The lively forward line for the Gills was certainly causing a few problems and Ndjoli again came close. The ball fell kindly to the forward on the volley at the far post but his low effort was tipped around the post by Lawlor.
Gills were to go ahead just before the half hour mark as Alex Jakubiak opened his Gills account. Brandon Hanlan did superbly to flick the ball on to Ndjoli, he in turn fed the ball across to Jakubiak who couldn’t miss. Gills were ahead. 0-1.
And it was close to being two moments later. Charles-Cook beat his man down the left hand-side, drove along the touchline before seeing his shot saved by the busy Lawlor at his near post.
Doncaster pulled level just before the break. James Coppinger had time to pick out a ball and he did just that, finding Kieran Sadlier with a delightful dinked ball. Sadlier smashed home to ensure it was all square at the interval.
H/T: 1-1
Neither side made a change at the break but the hosts looked to continue where they left off at the end of the first half, Madger Gomes shooting over via a crucial block from Alfie Jones.
On the hour mark it was a double change for Gills with Mark Marshall and Elliott List replacing Regan Charles-Cook and goalscorer Jakubiak as Steve Evans looked to freshen things up at the top end of the pitch.
Doncaster came close to regaining the lead shortly after the subs but Jack Bonham did well to get down and deny Alfie May. Doncaster had certainly improved after the break and were starting to cause the Gills some problems.
Mark Byrne was introduced to try and freshen things up but a couple of Gills corners were dealt with relatively ease as the game headed to a stalemate.
Doncaster were throwing everything at the Gills backline but a brilliant low save from Bonham followed by a last ditch block ensured the ball stayed out...Just!
It was backs to the wall for Gills and a Ben Whiteman effort rolled inches past the post in the final minute of stoppage time as it ended all square in Yorkshire. A good point on the road for the Gills.
F/T: 1-1
Doncaster: Lawlor, Halliday, James, Anderson, Sheaf, Sadlier, Whiteman, Gomes (Ennis 66), Baptiste, May, Coppinger (Crawford 83)
Doncaster subs: Dieng, John, Blair, Longbottom, Kiwomya.
Gillingham: Bonham, Hodson, Jones, Ehmer ©, Fuller, O’Keefe, Cisse, Ndjoli (Byrne 72), Charles-Cook (Marshall 60), Jakubiak (List 60) Hanlan.
Unused subs:: Walsh, Ogilvie, Garmston, Mandron
Referee: Mr John Busby
Attendance: 7939 (618 Gills fans)