Bournemouth 1 Gillingham 1

Gary Mulligan's last minute strike rescued a point for Gillingham as they kicked-off their League 1 campaign at Bournemouth.

The Gills were trailing to Darren Anderton?s first half goal but Mulligan came off the bench to fire home the equaliser.

Gillingham had a number of good chances in the opening half with striker Simeon Jackson having a trio of chances.

Jackson?s best effort came in the 32nd minute when he did well to lose marker Jason Pearce but put his shot wide. Fellow front man Mark McCammon forced keeper Shwan Jalal into making a save after heading John Nutter?s cross goal-bound.

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Despite Gills? pressure Darren Anderton handed the home side the advantage, with just three minutes left, as he side-stepped Simon King and shot past Simon Royce.

Gillingham went looking for the equaliser at the start of the second half and came close with a headed effort from Mark Bentley and a shot from Jackson.

The Gills kept the pressure on and it finally paid off as Tyrone Berry?s low cross was smashed into the top corner by Mulligan.

Manager Mark Stimson said: "We?re pleased with that and from the first whistle until the last we looked the better side.

"If we can create as many chances as that in the next 45 games we?re going to score some goals.

"How Simeon Jackson didn't get two or three goals I?m still amazed. In the end we definitely deserved the point."

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Richards, King, Nutter, Weston (Berry 66mins), Crofts, Bentley, Miller (Mulligan 87mins), Jackson, McCammon.

Subs not used: Julian, Clohessy, Mills.