"We have shown some great character once again," insisted Adkins.
"It was a difficult game but we have come away with a point, gone top of the league, and set a club record for going 10 games unbeaten.
"Credit to Cheltenham, I thought they were superb. The sending off turned the game, but if you look at the character and the desire and you cannot fault the commitment of our players."
Cheltenham boss John Ward had no complaints over the red card shown to Gillespie, which followed a high lunge on Iron substitute Lee Ridley.
"I have no grumbles about the sending off decision, Steven has lunged in and caught the player," admitted Ward.
"To lose him for three games is a blow, he is just getting his sharpness back.
"He and Paul Connor were a potent threat and his goal was a terrific strike.
"It was nice to see Connor do well, he has only just walked in and had not met the players before the game."