Gillingham conceded a late penalty against Colchester United as their long wait for a home win goes on.
Sam Gale hit the woodwork early in the second half for Gillingham before Robbie McKenzie gave them the lead. The Gills were denied a much-needed win, however, when Arthur Read scored from the penalty spot with 87 minutes played to make it 1-1.
The Gills have drawn seven of their last eight matches and haven’t won at home since mid-September.
Gillingham’s leading goalscorer Bradley Dack and experienced striker Sam Vokes were among the changes from the team which started the Boxing Day fixture.
Conor Masterson made a welcome return from injury as manager Gareth Ainsworth switched back to a wing-back system. Striker Seb Palmer-Houlden returned to the eleven.
Ainsworth’s rotation was designed to keep his team fresh for the challenging festive period.
The opening half of the League 2 clash saw the Gills get plenty of balls into the Colchester box, either from Remeao Hutton’s numerous long throws or from crossing out wide, but a combination of good defending and poor deliveries meant visiting keeper Matt Macey wasn’t overly troubled.
Aaron Rowe went close on a couple of occasions from open play – with one deflected shot skimming the crossbar – and Armani Little fired over.
Colchester were always a threat on the break but wasted a couple of good chances, with Harry Anderson’s weak effort dealt with by Gills keeper Jake Turner and Micah Mbick also shooting tamely after running in on goal.
Turner had to make a couple of reflex saves from close-range, to keep out a ricochet off Jack Payne and a follow-up from Teddy Bishop. Lisbie was also denied from close range.
Gillingham reached the break with just the one shot on target, grateful that the visitors hadn’t made the most of their opportunities.
There was a lively start to the second half as Bradley Dack’s shot caused panic in the Colchester box before Gillingham’s hopes expired as the linesman’s flag went up for offside.
At the other end Lisbie did well to keep the ball alive after Rowe had attempted to let the ball go out of play, but then went to ground looking for a penalty. The referee, quite rightly, wasn’t interested.
Gillingham almost went in front when Sam Gale put a header onto the upright from Dack’s free-kick, and it was Dack who went close himself moments later, with a shot that keeper Macey held.
With almost an hour gone, Ainsworth replaced Vokes for Josh Andrews
The deadlock was broken with 16 minutes left when Rowe picked out McKenzie inside the box and he guided the ball home.
It could have been 2-0 moments later when Hutton’s cross was met by Andrews but he couldn’t get enough on the header to make it count.
Lisbie threatened on the break but his shot lacked the power to trouble Turner.
Colchester had their chance to level with three minutes left after former Gills man Jack Tucker was fouled in the box by Andy Smith.
Read took the spot-kick and sent it down the middle to make it 1-1.
There were nine minutes added-on at the end of the game – plenty for the Gills to get themselves back in front.
Elliott Nevitt had a couple of attempts at goal for the Gills but the match finished level.
At the final whistle there was a big skirmish involving most of the players and staff of both teams which continued for several minutes and is sure to be looked at by the FA.
Referee Matthew Russell lingered at the end before walking off without issuing any cards following the scuffle.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Rowe, Gale, Masterson (Coleman 90mins), A Smith, McKenzie, Little, Dack (J Williams 90mins), Palmer-Houlden (Nevitt 68mins), Vokes (Andrews 58mins). Subs not used: Morris, Clark, Ogie.
Colchester: Macey, Hunt, Iandolo, Tucker, Anderson (Edwards 69mins), Bishop, Payne (Tovide 81mins), Lisbie (Vincent-Young), Read, Araujo, Mbick (Goodwin 81mins). Subs not used: Smith, Gape, Terry.
Referee: Matthew Russell
Attendance: 7,284 (930 away)
