Cody McDonald continued his recent goalscoring run to bring struggling Gillingham back on level terms at half time against Port Vale.

The hosts started brightly as Louis Dodds forced an early save out of Stuart Nelson before the Vale forward fired over soon after.

Rob Page's men, who started the game in 12th place, continued their positive opening to the game as Mark Marshall went close as he dragged his left-footed strike narrowly wide on 10 minutes.

Gillingham provided a scare when returning captain Doug Loft headed inches past the post, but the visitors fell behind when Ben Williamson turned Carl Dickinson's cross beyond Nelson's reach.

Vale nearly added a second in the 14th minute as Dany N'Guessan brought another save out of an increasingly besieged Nelson in the Gills goal.

However, Andy Hessenthaler's men nearly found a way back into the game Brennan Dickenson saw his shot saved before Joe Martin's effort drifted wide.

As the hosts continued to give away possession, Gillingham capitalised as Bradley Dack's run from midfield and square ball teed up McDonald for his third goal in four games.

Within minutes of levelling the match, the visitors almost took the lead with half time approaching as Loft was given space to shoot in the heart of the area only to miss the target.