Luke Rooney scored twice to help Gillingham Reserves hold Southampton Reserves to a 2-2 draw on Monday.

The Gillingham side was made up predominantly with youth team players, with fringe seniors Albert Jarrett, Charlie Howard and Jack Payne also playing.

Gillingham took a 32nd minute lead through Rooney as he smashed Albert Jarrett’s cross past the home keeper.

The Saints were back on level terms just before the break when striker Matthew Paterson sent a volley past young Gills keeper Connar Quinn.

Gillingham had barely recovered when Southampton struck a second before the interval when Callum McNish scored with from distance.

Another good finish from Rooney two minutes after the re-start put Gillingham back in the game.

The match was littered with yellow cards, with eight shown in total, and with 54 minutes gone Gillingham defender Tom Wynter saw red after clashing with Paterson. Quinn made a double save in injury time to deny Romain Gasmi from grabbing a late winner.