Mclean followed up his encouraging display at Colchester United on Tuesday with his maiden strike for City after only ten minutes of the Bantams' contest with the Gills.
The delight in the home sections of the Valley Parade crowd was clear to see as Mclean expertly fired Adam Drury's low cross past Gillingham 'keeper Stuart Nelson with a fine first time finish with his left foot.
With Gillingham equalising in the second half, Mclean's goal unfortunately didn't prove to be City's match-winner but Parkinson was nevertheless still thrilled to see his striker get off the mark.
Parkinson said: "It has been a long time coming but the supporters have been great with him (Aaron Mclean) and really patient.
"Equally, the longer he has been here and the more they have seen of him, the more the supporters realise he is giving everything.
"We have been speaking to him about simply concentrating on doing the best for the team to help us win points and games, and that is what he is doing at the moment.
"He put in a great all-round performance at Colchester and he deserved his goal today. He is getting fitter, stronger and more used to playing week in and week out - which is something he hadn't been doing before coming here.
"When you stop playing regularly, your body does take time to adapt to playing games again.
"There has never been a lack of heart with Aaron and he has never shied away from looking for the ball even when he has missed some chances.
"He has still been looking to get himself on the end of things in and around the box and today was a really composed finish by him."
With goal number one for Bradford now under Mclean's belt, Parkinson hopes the striker can use this as a springboard to kick on with City in the final stages of this season.
Parkinson added: "I've no doubt this will be (a boost to Aaron Mclean's confidence).
"I felt after the Colchester game that the lads really appreciated the effort Aaron had put into that game. He has taken that same effort into today as well.
"He needs to go again now and produce it next weekend as well if selected."