Johnny Mullins made a welcome return for the Hatters after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in the last home game against Wycombe Wanderers. Andy Halls was the player who made way.

That was the only change Gary Ablett made from the starting eleven at Charlton seven days ago but, once again, he had to name a very youthful bench.

Alongside Halls were five more members of Craig Madden's youth squad, Tom Fisher, Sam Hare, Louis Barnes, Sam Barnes and Danny Rowe.

County dominated for long periods but couldn't find a way past Gills 'keeper Alan Julian.

After a nervous opening in which he completely missed Johnny Mullins cross from the right the Julian stopped everything the Hatters threw at him.

Three times after the break he made magnificent saves. His first came when he dived full length to his left to turn away George Donnelly's header.

Then he did brilliantly to keep out David Perkins' drive after the little midfielder wriggled his way into the box.

Then he dived full length to his right to turn Paul Turnbull's volley from the edge of the box behind for a corner.

The visitors' best moments also came after the break. Simeon Jackson almost scored a memorable goal with a shot on the turn from the edge of the box that hit the back stanchion.

Then he burst in between Mullins and Paul Huntington but Owain Fon Williams was quickly off his line to make a decent save.

Gillingham chances were strictly limited by a strong County backline in which Danny Swailes gave a totally commanding performance.

At the other end Jabo Ibehre again led the line superbly and could have won the game in the second half when he took a ball on his chest and turned Darren Dennehy