The failure to beat the international minnows is being described as one of the worst results in Northern Ireland's history, and for the former Manchester United man's misery was compounded when his international manager Sammy McIlroy hauled him off in the second half to prevent a possible sending off.
Tempers were flaring following the dismissal of the Irish captain Steve Lomas in the 48th minute after a clash with opposition full back Thomas Beck.
That prompted Gillespie and Beck to start a running battle that earned the Blackburn man a yellow card, and with no signs of the spat cooling down McIlroy substituted Gillespie seemingly to prevent any further action being taken.