A second half Tommy Miller penalty saw the Blues to a 1-1 draw with Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday evening. Miller netted from the spot after Danny Haynes had been fouled, Simeon Jackson having put the home side in front before the break.

Town fielded Czech trialist Roman Hubnik at centre-half alongside captain for the day Gareth McAuley. Pim Balkestein moved to left-back with David Wright on the right. Alan Quinn and Gary Roberts were the widemen with Owen Garvan and Tommy Miller in the centre and Jon Walters and Pablo Couñago up front. Richard Wright was back in the Town goal.

As at Glentoran on Saturday, Town were poor in the first half with Gillingham, who included former Blues academy trainee Adam Miller in their line-up, the more lively and Dennis Oli and Simeon Jackson caused the Town backline a few early problems.

Quinn went wide for the Blues in the opening stages, while Gills skipper Andrew Crofts hit the post in the 20th minute with Richard Wright well beaten.

Jon Walters forced a save from Gills keeper Simon Royce in the 22nd minute, while Tommy Miller shot over from a Couñago knock down and Garvan also went too high with a strike.

In the 38th minute Gillingham, managed by Mark Stimson whose Stevenage side beat Town 3-0 in pre-season a year ago, went in front. Simeon Jackson struck a shot from the edge of the area which should have given Wright no trouble, but the keeper, playing his first game since his return to Portman Road, inexplicably dived over the ball to gift the home side the lead at the break.

Town ought to have been back on terms in the 57th minute when a flowing move involving Balkestein and Walters down the left presented Couñago with a gilt-edged chance which the Spaniard wasted. The Town number nine should have taken the chance first time but dallied and in the end flicked the ball over the keeper and into the sidenetting.

Danny Haynes and Tommy Smith were the first of the traditional legion of second half pre-season friendly subs, replacing Gary Roberts and Owen Garvan. Smith went into his usual central defensive role with David Wright moving to right midfield and Roman Hubnik to right-back.

Town finally equalised in the 62nd minute from the spot after Danny Haynes, whose pace gave the Gills no end of problems, had been upended by John Nutter. Tommy Miller stepped up to net his first goal of pre-season and the second successful penalty from Town's somewhat impressive total of five.

On 71 Balkestein, who impressed in his left-back role, burst down the wing and struck a 30-yard screamer which the keeper did well to save, the Dutchman once again illustrating that he could be a potent goal threat in the season to come.

With five minutes remaining, Alan Quinn spurned a chance to win the game for the Blues, shooting wide when well-placed after being played in by Rhodes.

Skipper Gareth McAuley was amongst Town's best performers, the Northern Irishman and Czech trialist Roman Hubnik defending well throughout. Hubnik looked comfortable on the ball and did nothing wrong, either when at centre-half or at right-back.

Pablo Couñago created his usual chances for his team-mates with his clever flicks and touches, but ought to have scored with his second half chance.

Largely it was the story of most of Town's pre-season games so far, the Blues starting slowly in the first half before making a marked improvement after the break.

Town: R Wright, D Wright, Balkestein (Sumulikoski 76), McAuley, Hubnik, Quinn, Garvan (Smith 59), Miller, Couñago, Walters (Rhodes 76), Roberts (Haynes 59). Unused: Supple. Att: 1,374.

Photo: Action Images

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