Referee Grant Hegley was the busiest man on the pitch and despite his constant brandishing of his yellow card, the game could have finished seven aside if he had been more harsh.
Going into the game both teams were defending impressive records: Gillingham had not lost at home in the league since October 1, while Tranmere were on a nine-game unbeaten run.
Yet in first half neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances on a bumpy Priestfield pitch.
Gills debutant Justin Cochrane had the only shot on target with a low drive, while Chris Greenacre's right-footed volley whistled just past the post.
The goal the game urgently needed came two minutes into the second half and it fell to the away side.
Simon Francis' through ball split the Gillingham defence apart and Stephen O'Leary coolly bypassed Leon Johnson before firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Unfortunately some Tranmere supporters were crushed as O'Leary celebrated in front of them.
Falling behind sparked the home side into life and they nearly drew level when Dino Seremet tipped over Darren Byfield's header from Danny Spiller's cross.
As Gillingham pushed forward they left spaces at the back and twice Delroy Facey found himself through on goal but failed to get his shot on goal on either occasion.
His misses would become all the more glaring when Byfield equalised after 73 minutes stealing in at the back post to head home Tommy Black's free-kick.
Though Gillingham pressed for a winner they could not find their way past a determined Tranmere rearguard.