Scunthorpe battled well to take a point from a classy Gillingham, grabbing an 90th minute equaliser after the visitors were down to 10 men.
Opportunities were not easy for either side as defenders proved the key figures, with ex-Scunthorpe captain Chris Hope supported well by Ian Cox and Scunthorpe's Richard Hinds not only grabbing the equaliser, but playing a starring role in halting the lively Darren Byfield - who saw red in the closing stages.
Gillingham started well and Michael Flynn was denied by a fine challenge from Hinds, and then it was Hinds who popped up at the other end to force Jason Brown into a fine save at his right-hand post.
Although playing some neat football, Scunthorpe were stretched when the lively Byfield attempted to lob keeper Paul Musselwhite from wide on the left but the keeper was alert to the threat.
Hope then came to the Gills rescue, blocking a shot from Wayne Corden following excellent approach work by Matthew Sparrow and Andy Parton.
The visitors were playing some excellent possession football and they got an early break in the second half when Richard Rose fed Alan Pouton who drove well wide.
Scunthorpe's response saw Ian Baraclough make a break through the middle, but first-class cover by the retreating duo of Hope and Cox led to him driving wide.
The game was quite lively and after Danny Jackman had floated a free-kick wide Gillingham struck in the 61st minute.
A long ball over the home defence allowed Andy Hessenthaler to break free on the right and he beat Musselwhite with a crisp right-foot shot.
Iron boss Brian Laws immediately signalled his intention to get something out of the game, bringing on Andy Keogh and Cleveland Taylor in the place of Parton and Wayne Corden.
Scunthorpe almost grabbed a 65th minute equaliser but Hinds managed to get a foot to the ball in a scramble and then the keeper saved at the foot of the post from Sparrow - who was later replaced by Peter Beagrie.
Taylor and Keogh made an impact as Scunthorpe fought for an equaliser, but the game took an unexpected twist in the 88th minute when Byfield was sent off for a second bookable offence.
That unsettled the Kent side and as Scunthorpe piled forward they failed to clear a Baraclough corner.
The ball fell to Beagrie, who flicked the ball across for Hinds to poke home with only seconds remaining.
Opportunities were not easy for either side as defenders proved the key figures, with ex-Scunthorpe captain Chris Hope supported well by Ian Cox and Scunthorpe's Richard Hinds not only grabbing the equaliser, but playing a starring role in halting the lively Darren Byfield - who saw red in the closing stages.
Gillingham started well and Michael Flynn was denied by a fine challenge from Hinds, and then it was Hinds who popped up at the other end to force Jason Brown into a fine save at his right-hand post.
Although playing some neat football, Scunthorpe were stretched when the lively Byfield attempted to lob keeper Paul Musselwhite from wide on the left but the keeper was alert to the threat.
Hope then came to the Gills rescue, blocking a shot from Wayne Corden following excellent approach work by Matthew Sparrow and Andy Parton.
The visitors were playing some excellent possession football and they got an early break in the second half when Richard Rose fed Alan Pouton who drove well wide.
Scunthorpe's response saw Ian Baraclough make a break through the middle, but first-class cover by the retreating duo of Hope and Cox led to him driving wide.
The game was quite lively and after Danny Jackman had floated a free-kick wide Gillingham struck in the 61st minute.
A long ball over the home defence allowed Andy Hessenthaler to break free on the right and he beat Musselwhite with a crisp right-foot shot.
Iron boss Brian Laws immediately signalled his intention to get something out of the game, bringing on Andy Keogh and Cleveland Taylor in the place of Parton and Wayne Corden.
Scunthorpe almost grabbed a 65th minute equaliser but Hinds managed to get a foot to the ball in a scramble and then the keeper saved at the foot of the post from Sparrow - who was later replaced by Peter Beagrie.
Taylor and Keogh made an impact as Scunthorpe fought for an equaliser, but the game took an unexpected twist in the 88th minute when Byfield was sent off for a second bookable offence.
That unsettled the Kent side and as Scunthorpe piled forward they failed to clear a Baraclough corner.
The ball fell to Beagrie, who flicked the ball across for Hinds to poke home with only seconds remaining.