Second-placed Swansea were forced into one change from the side that picked up their fifth straight win at Yeovil last Saturday with Ferrie Bodde ruled out with a hip injury.

His place in the middle of midfield was taken by Leon Britton who was making his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury.

Gillingham, without a win from their opening six league games on the road, saw new manager Mark Stimpson take charge of his first game since signing a three-and-a-half year contract on Thursday.

Before the game started there was a heart-warming minute's applause in respect of Welsh rugby and broadcasting legend Ray Gravell who passed away yesterday.

When the game got underway, Swansea made a positive start as they looked for the win that would take them top of League One.

Tom Butler created the first opening after eight minutes when his long-range shot was spilled by Simon Royce, but Gills managed to clear their lines as Warren Feeney pounced on the loose ball.

But two minutes later, Swansea were rocked back on their heels when Gillingham took the lead.

Dennis Lawrence's clearance fell straight to Delroy Facey 25 yards out and the striker fired an unbelievable strike beyond Dorus de Vries and into the top corner.

Manager Roberto Martinez was then forced into an early change as Marcos Painter limped off to be replaced by Kevin Austin at left-back.

Swansea kept their heads up and Darren Pratley and Paul Anderson fired just over the bar.

But things took another turn for the worst in the 23^rd minute when Swansea were reduced to 10 men when Warren Feeney was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Simon King which the referee deemed two-footed and dangerous.

Feeney, the Swansea players, management and the crowd were furious as Feeney made his way down the tunnel.

Referee Stuart Attwell continued to receive a lot of stick from the crowd with some strange decisions as Swansea finished the half with Jason Scotland playing a lone role up front.

Half-time: Swans 0 Gills 1

Swansea made a bright start to the second half as Scotland drilled a low cross across the face of goal that the Gillingham defence just managed to clear.

And they thought they had equalised in the 53^rd minute when Paul Anderson's in-swinging corner was deflected in off Efe Sodje. But the young referee, in his first season in the Football League, disallowed the goal for a foul on the 'keeper.

Then Scotland had a penalty appeal turned down before Leon Britton's effort from the edge of the area was tipped over by Royce as Swansea stepped it up a gear.

Swansea were piling on the pressure now as Anderson's shot hit the unsuspecting Scotland in front of goal before Roberto sent on Andy Robinson for defender Lawrence with an hour gone.

Great work from Robinson saw his deflected shot hit the roof of the net. The referee, true to form, gave a goal kick.

Garry Monk was eventually booked for his protests before Robinson unleashed another fierce effort which Royce did well to beat out.

Roberto played his last card with 16 minutes left as he sent on Darryl Duffy for Butler who had had a good game.

And just as the game looked to be slipping away from the Swans, the equaliser duly arrived in the 79^th minute.

Great work from Pratley down the right saw the midfielder drive a low cross across the face of goal for Paul Anderson to arrive late and fire home his seventh of the season.

Then deep in injury time, Swansea had the chance to grab the winner when Britton was brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, but Andy Robinson saw his penalty and follow up saved by Royce.