Shrewsbury Town earn a point at home against Gillingham.
Ryan Barnett made his first league start for the Shrews having impressed from the bench in recent weeks. It was also the first start in Blue and Amber for Leon Clarke who made his debut last week away at Plymouth.
With the wind and rain whistling through the Montgomery Waters Meadow, it was Shrewsbury who started the better of the two - registering their first shot on goal inside five minutes after Shaun Whalley attempted an ambitious overhead kick.
The away side eventually got a foothold in the game. A small mix up at the back freed Vadaine Oliver whose shot was fired wide. This was a costly miss as moments later Brad Walker put the home side in front with an unmarked header from a Shaun Whalley.
Forer Wolves man Jordan Graham was the most threatening player for the Gills down the left-hand side. He was more than matched by Whalley down the Town right, both men putting testing deliveries into the penalty area.
With half an hour gone, it was still Shrewsbury looking the most threatening, this time Vela looked to add to the lead after taking the ball down on his chest and firing on the half volley forcing a diving save from keeper Jack Bonham in the Gillingham goal.
Town were dealt an injury blow just before the half with danger man Shaun Whalley forced off, manager Sam Ricketts turned to Josh Daniels to continue the threat down the right.
Just like the first-half, Salop looked at their most dangerous from set plays once again a corner found the head of a Shrew’s player this time Aaron Pierre whose header was cleared of the line.
The Gills almost levelled the score with 55 minutes gone, second half substitute Declan Drsydale looked to have found the net with thunderous strike only to be denied by his own man on the goal line who prevented the equaliser with his face.
Despite their lead it was the away side who appeared to be growing in confidence as they searched for the equaliser, but some solid defending Pierre and Ethan Ebanks-Landell kept Shrewsbury ahead with 20 to play.
Graham found his name in the book for the away side after a miss-timed sliding challenged hacked down Pierre, many felt the challenge was worthy of a red as it appeared the Gillingham man did have his studs raised.
Ricketts waited till the 80th minute before making his second substitute, Scott high was introduced replacing Barnett with Town looking to regain some control in the middle of the park.
The equaliser did eventually come deep into added time after a lengthy injury stoppage, it was Jordan Graham who made the telling contribution heading in from close range to break Shrews hearts having led for a long time in the game.
A point proved a fair result in the end as Shrewsbury continue their search for a first league win.
Shrewsbury Team (4-3-3): 1. Harry Burgoyne, 2. Aaron Pierre, 3. Scott Golbourne, 7. Shaun Whalley, 8. Ollie Norburn©, 10. Josh Vela, 11. Leon Clarke, 16. Brad Walker, 18. Marlon Fossey, 19. Ryan Barnett, 24. Ethan Ebanks-Landell.
SUBS: 21. Cameron Gregory, 17. Donald Love, 20. Shilow Tracey, 22. Josh Daniels, 25. Scott High, 30. Charlie Caton, 35. Jason Cummings.
Gillingham Team: 1. Jack Bonham, 2. Ryan Jackson©, 3. Conor Ogilvie, 5. Jack Tucker, 6. Zeck Medley, 9. Dominic Samuel, 10. Jordan Graham, 17. Josh Eccles, 18. Jacob Mellis, 19. Vadaine Oliver, 21. Tom O’Connor.
SUBS: 35. Declan Drysdale, 12. Joe Walsh, 11. Trae Coyle, 14 Robbie McKenzie, 16. Ale McDonald, 15. John Akinde, 26. Christian Maghoma.