Wayne Allison scored for the second successive game as Sheffield United recovered from a goal down to grab a point at Gillingham.

The striker pounced to fire in a 60th-minute equaliser for the Blades after Peter Ndlovu's initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Jason Brown.

Gillingham had gone in front through leading scorer Paul Shaw's fourth goal of the campaign after 16 minutes.

Shaw slipped the ball past United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny after running on to a pass from Adrian Pennock to cap a bright start for the home side.

But United gradually took control against injury-hit Gillingham after going behind, and went desperately close to scoring just before half-time.

Only the woodwork saved the Gills when Ndlovu shot from close in.

Attacking instincts

However, Shaw's goal put United off their stride only momentarily and they gave as good as they got as they went in search of an equaliser.

Twice Michael Brown fired in shots that went close before Ndlovu forced Brown into a save, and danger man Michael Tonge flashed an effort wide.

And United refused to sit back and protect the point after Allison's equaliser.

Boss Neil Warnock threw on striker Paul Peschisolido in search of a winner, but Gillingham held out and even threatened to win the game themselves.

Keeper Kenny had to be alert to keep out a header from Mark Saunders and a shot from Chris Hope.

But at the other end Brown flashed a shot over the top and both Allison and Ndlovu fired in efforts that went wide as the visitors finished strongly.

Gillingham: Brown, Ashby, Pennock, Hope, Saunders, Smith, Shaw, Perpetuini, Ipoua, James, Edge. Subs: Bartram, Leon Johnson, Rose, Spiller, Awuah.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Kozluk, Murphy, Jagielka, Ullathorne, Ndlovu, McCall, Brown, Tonge, Montgomery, Allison. Subs: Ten Heuvel, Peschisolido, Doane, Page, McGovern.

Referee: D Gallagher