Carlisle United will face an FA Cup replay at Brunton Park after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at League One side Gillingham.

Captain Danny Grainger hit back for the Blues from the penalty spot after Gillingham's Luke O'Neill had curled in a free-kick after just five minutes.

Grainger's spot-kick came in the 17th minute after Mark Byrne had upended Tom Parkes.

It was Carlisle's first away goal against Gillingham since 1994.

And although the hosts had most of the pressure after the break, a resolute defensive display from Keith Curle's side kept them at bay, in front of 321 travelling fans in a 321 crowd.

United made the worst possible start to the second round tie when recalled defender Parkes fouled Connor Wilkinson with an aerial challenge, and O'Neill beat Jack Bonham from 25 yards.

Bonham then saved superbly from Wilkinson to prevent a second Gillingham goal.

United then hit back when the impressive Reggie Lambe fed Parkes and when Byrne brought him down, Grainger slotted home his seventh of the season.

Ex-United defender Max Ehmer denied Lambe with a block while at the other end Gillingham forced half-chances for Sean Clare and Scott Wagstaff.

The hosts were denied with three penalty appeals after the break as United went more onto the defensive.

Tom Eaves shot over the bar while Wilkinson flashed the ball across the face of goal to no avail.

There were wayward shots from Lambe and Bennett at the other end but Carlisle's bast work came from the likes of Clint Hill and Gary Liddle in keeping the League One outfit at bay.

Grainger had to be replaced in the 71st minute with a rib injury.

Carlisle and Gillingham will now go into the hat for Monday's third round draw, with teams from the top-flight entering the competition. They will be ball number 60.

The draw is live at 7pm on BT Sport and BBC2.

The replay at Brunton Park is likely to be on Tuesday, December 12.

Gillingham: Holy, O'Neill, Ogilvie, Ehmer, Zakuani, Wagstaff, Hessenthaler, Byrne, Clare (Martin 46) Wilkinson, Eaves (Parker 74). Not used: Nelson, Nugent, Oldaker, Simpson, Cundle.

United: Bonham, Liddle, Hill, Parkes, Brown, Grainger (T Miller 71), Jones, Joyce, Etuhu, Lambe (Hope 88), Bennett (O'Sullivan 81). Not used: George, Devitt, Cosgrove, S Miller

Crowd: 3,178 (321 Carlisle fans)

  • Read Jon Colman's in-depth match report in Monday's paper and online.