Gregory's late header spoiled David Villa's big day as 10-man Sporting Gijon ended Valencia's 100% start to the season.
David Barral stunned the hosts with a goal after seven minutes but former Sporting striker Villa levelled midway through the first half.
The 27-year-old, who declined to celebrate his strikes against his old club, scored a lovely second to seemingly set Valencia on their way the three points, but Gregory levelled four minutes from time after Miguel Moya's error.
Sporting's point was all the more remarkable as they played more than an hour a man down after Michel's red card.
The result saw Los Che lose ground on Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, who all extended their perfect starts today.
Valencia needed a good start, but they got exactly the opposite, as Barral sprinted down the right channel, shrugged off the attentions of Alexis, and finished at Moya's near post.
The hosts responded and a promising attack was prematurely ended when Villa was hauled down by Gerard Autet after being played through by Ever Banega.
Gerard was booked for his trouble when he could have seen red, and Villa sent the resulting free-kick straight into the hands of Juan Pablo.
Villa had a chance to score with a header after 22 minutes but he nodded Juan Mata's cross too close to Juan Pablo from an awkward position.
Valencia got the equaliser they deserved just two minutes later when when David Silva's initial effort from a low Jeremy Mathieu cross was blocked well by Juan Pablo, but the ball squirted to Villa who hammered the ball home.
Things got worse for Gijon when Michel dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 26th minute, flicking his arm at the ball for a needless handball.
After 37 minutes, Villa had another good opportunity as he slid in at the near post but could not direct Juan Mata's free-kick goalwards.
Moments later, Mata sent a corner to the edge of the box, where Silva struck the ball through a crowded box and Juan Pablo did well to get down and save.
Twelve minutes into the second period, Banega sent a hanging cross into the box, Alexis' header went via the head of a defender to Villa, whose shot was blocked by the advancing Juan Pablo.
But Valencia finally took the lead on the hour thanks to a wonderful piece of skill from Villa.
Bruno pulled the ball back from the right, Villa accepted it, spun his marker and curled a beautiful effort past the Sporting goalkeeper.
In the 71st minute, Bruno advanced down the right effectively again, pulling the ball back for Silva who side-footed the ball wide.
Sporting increased their share of possession in the closing stages, but rarely threatened until Moya pulled off a sharp double save from Mate Bilic.
But Valencia paid for their earlier misses when Alberto Rivera sent in a free-kick from the right, Moya failed to deal with it and the ball broke for Gregory, who headed home.
Villa had a chance to complete his hat-trick in stoppage time but sent his free-kick over the bar.
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