Substitute Zech Medley fired Fleetwood to a dramatic 2-1 win after Jake Turner’s penalty save looked to have earned Gillingham a sixth successive Sky Bet League Two draw.
Six minutes after his introduction, Medley turned in Ched Evans’ cross from close range to complete a comeback victory.
Evans was certainly grateful having seen his 82nd-minute spot-kick saved by Turner.
Gillingham, without a win at Highbury Stadium since November 2018, went in front through Bradley Dack’s eighth goal of the campaign after 14 minutes.
The Kent side should have doubled their advantage but Seb Palmer-Houlden miscued from skipper Armani Little’s cross.
Pete Wild’s Fleetwood have not lost at home since August and were denied a first-half equaliser when Palmer-Houlden cleared Finley Potter’s effort off the line.
But Ryan Graydon, booked along with Town assistant Adam Temple in a feisty first half, levelled eight minutes into the second half, heading in an Ethan Ennis centre from close range.
Dack hit the woodwork for the Gills and Ennis was denied by Turner before Medley clinched Town’s victory.
