Sam Stubbs earns Cheltenham a point against Gillingham

Sam Stubbs’ header ensured Cheltenham hit back from a goal down to draw 1-1 in their mid-table battle with Gillingham.

Gareth Ainsworth’s Gills had opened the scoring inside two minutes after a clever free-kick routine caught their hosts cold.

Jack Nolan threaded a low pass into the box, allowing Chelsea loan prospect Jimmy Jay-Morgan to slot the ball past Joe Day for his second goal of the season.

Day had to keep out a low shot from Elliott Nevitt and Conor Masterson headed wide from a good position as Gillingham pushed for a second.

But Cheltenham improved, with Arkell Jude-Boyd drawing a save from Taite Holtam.

They levelled when Ryan Haynes’ free-kick was nodded in by Stubbs in the 22nd minute.

Sam Gale had the ball in the net for Gillingham after a scramble just before half-time but it was disallowed for an infringement in the box.

Day blocked from Morgan at his near post early in the second half and Tommy Backwell volleyed wide for Cheltenham.

Ethan Williams forced Holtam into a diving save before Day made a fine reaction stop from Masterson at the other end as it finished all-square.