Gosport conceded two costly penalties to gift Cinderford a life-line and ultimately a share of the points.
Things had started well for Gosport and they could have taken the lead within the first minute had James Taylor's header not been deflected just wide.
But Boro' sat back and let the home side come back at them with McCootie causing the Gosport defence some worrying moments with Josh Egan also going close for the Gloucestershire side.
Gosport found their feet and it took an alert defence to deny Taylor a goal after Bennett had found his way around John in the Cinderford goal.
But it was Dan Wooden's miss that will be remembered most of all. The midfielder had an unmissable tap-in after 20 minutes but he managed to smash the ball against the post to let Town off the hook.
The opener finally came in the 35th minute and it went Gosport's way. Bennett was floored by Greg Lewis in the area and Taylor stepped up to dispatch his second penalty of the season.
And it got better for Boro' as the second half started as within two minutes they had doubled their advantage as Bennett struck with a beautiful curling shot which found the top corner of John's goal.
But the home side rallied and with 20 minutes to go they got themselves back into the game from the penalty spot - Lewis Sommers converting the spot kick after Ryan Pryce had brought down McCootie.
Boro' then returned to the bad old days and sat back, trying to hold onto their one goal advantage and literally paid the penalty. Just nine minutes after their first penalty, Cinderford had a second after Nathan Kirby handled. Again, Sommers gave Pryce no chance from 12 yards.
With the scores level Cinderford were buzzing and looked the far more likely to take all the points in what would have been a terrific comeback but their cause was dented a few minutes later when Dan Harrison saw the referee's red card for a two-footed challenge on James Ford and the visitors were able to hang on for a point.
