Defender Ryan Jackson found the top corner with a super strike but Gillingham couldn’t hang on for the win at Morecambe.

Neither side could find the quality to finish off their first-half chances in tough conditions with Arthur Gnahoua hitting the bar for the hosts. Ryan Jackson put Gills ahead on 72 minutes but Jonathan Obika levelled for the home side.

• Reaction: 'We looked like a team willing to fight'

Gillingham manager Neil Harris made just one change to his team. Charlie Kelman dropped to the bench as Tom Dickson-Peters made his first start for the club upfront.

Saturday’s match took place on a poor surface and play was scrappy at times. It was a bit of a battle at the Mazuma Stadium between two teams inside the bottom four of League 1.

Gillingham were aiming to close to gap on Morecambe, the home side sitting above them in the table.

The hosts had plenty of ball in and around the Gills box during the first 45 minutes but couldn’t make it count, with the visitors making a couple of last-ditch blocks to keep them out.

Morecambe finished the half with 13 shots at goal but Gills keeper Aaron Chapman wasn’t overly troubled. The closest the hosts got to scoring was when Adam Phillips’ shot was blocked and Gnahoua struck the loose ball onto the crossbar.

The Gills went wide with a couple of shots early on and it was defender Conor Masterson who was the only one managing to test home keeper Trevor Carson, muscling his way into the box and forcing a save from an angled shot.

Other than that the Gills had been off the mark with their finishing when they got an opportunity.

Morecambe made a lively start to the second half with a couple of dangerous crosses from their right side followed by a block from Ayunga’s effort.

The boggy pitch continued to make it tricky for the players. Home striker Cole Stockton couldn’t control when in a good position inside the box and Ayunga also lost the ball when well placed.

In a game that lacked quality, it was a terrific strike that put Gills ahead. Vadaine Oliver picked Jackson out with a pass and he hit the top corner from 20 yards with a pinpoint finish.

Gillingham’s lead lasted just 12 minutes, the home side getting back level when Obika turned Jack Tucker and struck from inside the box.

Morecambe nearly got a second soon after when a shot went through Masterson’s legs and Chapman was just able to make a save. On 90 minutes Obika went close again, forcing the Gills keeper into a save.

Gillingham: Chapman, McKenzie, Tutonda (Jackson 61mins) Ehmer, Tucker, Masterson, O’Keefe, Thompson, Lee (Phillips 77mins), Dickson-Peters (Kelman 86mins), Oliver. Subs not used: Dahlberg, Lintott, Maghoma, Chambers.

Morecambe: Carson, Leigh, O’Connor, Bedeau, Diagouraga, Stockton, Ayunga, Phillips (Wildig 65mins), McLoughlin, Cooney, Gnahoua (Obika 74mins). Subs not used: Smith, Connolly, McCalmont, Fane, Bennett.

Attendance: 4,499 (279 away)

Referee: Peter Wright