Rob Hulse struck his fifth goal in as many games to rescue a point for Leeds in an ill-tempered clash against Gillingham that saw Michael Gray and Darius Henderson both sent off for violent conduct.

On-loan striker Hulse made light of a thigh injury to latch onto substitute Marlon King's right-wing cross in the closing stages to convert from close range.

Former Gillingham forward King had only replaced Jermaine Wright two minutes earlier before helping to spare Kevin Blackwell's side following a lacklustre performance against Stan Ternent's relegation battlers.

Gillingham had gone in at half-time a goal up when Chris Hope fired home from 25 yards.

The Gills midfielder collected Michael Flynn's pass from the left two minutes before the interval and unleashed a right-foot drive low into the bottom corner.

Mamady Sidibe almost doubled the lead moments later, but Leeds goalkeeper Neil Sullivan pulled off a flying save to tip the striker's volley from the edge of the penalty area round his post.

Gills boss Ternent pitched on-loan Blackburn duo James McEveley and Jonathan Douglas straight into his starting line-up after injury had ruled out defender Barry Ashby and midfielder Alan Pouton.

Both sides made a tentative start - Gary Kelly drilled a 25-yard shot off target and Douglas headed wide for the visitors - before Leeds carved out a couple of chances.

Hulse headed over the crossbar from Aaron Lennon's cross and skipper Paul Butler followed suit from closer in soon after.

Gillingham responded with Douglas, booked earlier for his challenge on Sean Gregan, volleying wide from 20 yards and Nicky Southall's effort from similar distance blocked by Kelly.

Hulse headed over again, but Leeds laboured and the home crowd began to jeer.

Douglas, enjoying an impressive debut for Ternent's side, forced Sullivan into action again after the restart, the keeper holding onto his header from the edge of the area.

Gregan was booked for dissent following another foul on Douglas and frustration got the better of teenager Simon Walton as he was also yellow carded for talking out of turn.

Blackwell swapped Kelly for Frazer Richardson in a tactical switch in the 56th minute, with Leeds still to trouble visiting keeper Steve Banks in the second half.

Tempers flared again five minutes later and a scuffle between Gray and Henderson resulted in referee Mark Cowburn sending both players off for violent conduct.

Banks denied Leeds an equaliser soon after, turning Hulse's close-range shot round his post, while Douglas' overhead kick flashed wide at the other end.

King entered the fray for Leeds against his former club in the 78th minute when he replaced Wright and within two minutes he set up Hulse for the equaliser.

Nottingham Forest striker King, on loan until the end of the season, crossed from the right wing and Hulse converted, right-footed into the bottom corner, from close-range.

David Healy then volleyed Gregan's cross first-time over the crossbar and the latter saw his 20-yarder blocked by Ian Cox as Leeds looked to snatch a late winner.

Brian Deane replaced Hulse in the closing stages and Matthew Kilgallon headed narrowly wide from Richardson's free-kick, but the Gills deservedly held on for a well-earned point.

Teams:

Leeds Sullivan, Kelly (Richardson 56), Butler, Kilgallon, Gray, Wright (King 78), Gregan, Walton, Lennon, Hulse (Deane 89), Healy.

Subs Not Used: Carlisle, Johnson.

Sent Off: Gray (61).

Booked: Gregan, Walton.

Goals: Hulse 81.

Gillingham Banks, Nosworthy, Cox, Hope, McEveley, Southall, Smith, Flynn, Douglas, Henderson, Sidibe (Byfield 90).

Subs Not Used: Hills, Bossu, Crofts, Jarvis.

Sent Off: Henderson (60).

Booked: Douglas, Flynn.

Goals: Hope 43.

Att: 27,995

Ref: M Cowburn (Lancashire).