After 5 minutes a United free-kick was cleared by Gillingham defenders, United got a corner but was cleared.
Rob Ullathorne had a shot on goal but his chance just went wide of goal.
The Blades came close to scoring after 11 minutes when Wayne 'The Chief' Allison's low cross almost found Peter Ndlovu but he could not quite get to ball.
Gillingham took the lead when Saunders won the ball off Michael Brown in centre circle who put Paul Shaw through and slotted home from 12 yards out.
United improved their play despite being behind, Michael Brown's shot was deflect wide by Ndlovu as he got in way.
Michael Brown's driving free-kick after 25 minutes went out for a corner but was cleared after the corner was taken.
Moments later the Blades came very close to a leveler but Peter Ndlovu's shot skimmed across goal when no one was their to knock it in.
Neither side seemed to be getting in any chances until five minutes to half-time when a Gillingham cross nearly gave Shaw an open goal but United somehow managed to clear.
Just before half-time whistle was blown, Peter Ndlovu looked to score but his 6 yard out effort smashed against the crossbar.
Half-Time: Gillingham 1-0 Sheffield United
United started off better that their Opponents and almost scored when McCall's over head hit was volleyed wide by Tonge.
Gillingham came close after Kenny made a goalkeeping mistake but United somehow cleared.
United again nearly scored when Michael Tonge tried to square the ball across goal but Tonge fired wide when his cross rebounded back to him.
Not long after United finally got their goal, Their was a pile up of players in box, Shaun Murphy and Ndlovu headers were twice brilliantly saved by Brown but their was Wayne Allison to bang home to make it 1-1.
United made their first substitution on 69th minute with Paul Peschisolido coming on for Nick Montgomery.
A minute later Mark Saunders 6 yard header was beautifully saved by Paddy Kenny.
Moments later Tonge's cross could not reach Ndlovu and was cleared for a corner, it was taken by McCall and was cleared by defenders and Allison volleyed wide.
Brown made a fantastic save when Peter Ndlovu produced a firing shot after 83 minutes.
Late on Leon Johnson and Jones Awuah came on for David Perpetuini and Guy Ipoua.
Gillingham tried to find a winner as did United but each side defended well and it ended a draw.
Full-Time: Gillingham 1-1 Sheffield United
United gave a great performance and should have won, all Gillingham was relying on was lucky brakes. The draw puts United in 5th after Rotherham United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 with a goal from Alan Lee to send them above the Blades on goal difference.
Man of the Match: I really ought to give this to The Chief but after a great performance in defence young Phil Jagielka will be given the honour of man of the match award this time.