Glenn Murray suffered spot kick despair as Albion were held to a 1-1 draw at Gillingham in a pulsating derby tonight.

Murray, having earlier missed two great chances on his return from a two-game ban, was hauled down by Josh Gowling after being sent clear by Elliott Bennett's precise pass.

The defender was sent off but Murray saw his 87th-minute penalty parried by Alan Julian diving to his left.

This point edges Albion closer to League One safety but they will be bitterly disappointed not to have won.

Adam El-Abd gave them a dream start with his first goal for more than two years.

The defender was left in space at a Bennett corner and headed home in only the fifth minute.

Bennett later saw a fierce 25-yarder well tipped away by keeper Julian.

Albion looked the classier side on the ball, notably through debutant Diego Arismendi and Lee Hendrie.

Hendrie saw a left-foot curler deflect narrowly over the top corner.

However Gills, battling against the drop, had a decent spell in the middle of the first half and Peter Brezovan had to make an instinctive save with his right foot to keep out a close range Dennis Oli drive.

The big Slovak was left helpless in the 49th minute when Adam Miller got behind the defence to go around him and finish coolly.

However he produced a good block from clean-through Simeon Jackson and was relieved to see Chris Dickson hit the post from close range.