Cannot connect to server with Gmail setup as Exchange account
I cannot get my gmail account setup as an exchange account of my new iPad after upgrading to iOS 6.1.3. I have tried to restore from iCloud backup where it was working only my previous iPad and completely wipe and setup as new iPad. I get the same error each time:
The account is added and credentials validated (check marks appear) but when I go to Mail there's only and inbox and I get an error that it cannot connect to server. I've tried this 5+ times now and done what people suggested in other posts, nothing works.
Is is a glitch in new iOS build? Strangely, I am running same version of iOS on my iPhone 5 and gmail via exchange works just fine. Super frustrating as connecting my gmail as a gmail account doesn't sync contacts (major feature oversight here!) to the device, just colander and mail.
Please help :)
iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iOS 6.1.3