The points were shared as Gillingham secure their first clean sheet since 8th November.
Gillingham, travelled to Colchester for the only League Two fixture of the day, due to the FA cup second round matches taking place, which neither side qualified for.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth made three changes to the starting line up from last week’s 3-3 draw away at Shrewsbury. Captain Armani Little returned from suspension to replace Jonny Williams in midfield, Aaron Rowe started in place of Josh Andrews, and loanee Travis Akomeah made his first start for the club with Max Clark dropping to the bench.
Sam Gale moved to left-back to accommodate Akomeah at centre-back, while Palmer-Houlden led the line with Rowe slotting in on the left wing.
Colchester made one change from their 2-0 victory over Cheltenham with Teddy Bishop returning from injury to replace Rob Hunt in midfield.
The opening ten minutes were a bit scrappy from both sides as they struggled to get a foothold in the game. Colchester created several half chances, but the Gillingham defence was well-organised and snuffed out any danger.
Gillingham grew into the game with some more fluent football and a couple of promising set plays, but like the home side, they struggled to break through the defence.
The game continued to be quite combative as several free kicks were awarded for mis-timed challenges in midfield. Gillingham picked up two yellow cards, which included an ill-disciplined shove from Hutton.
The first moment of real quality came from a slick Colchester move as they moved the ball quickly through midfield to create a chance for Samson Tovide six yards out, but it was blocked by a combination of Rowe and Jake Turner.
This sparked Gillingham into playing their best football of the half that created some great chances. Hutton put in several probing crosses from the right, Garath McCleary offered some mazy runs and good link-up play, and Rowe and Bradley Dack both had shots blocked.
Colchester started the second half brightly, with Micah Mbick having a free header in the Gillingham box, which he put wide.
Gillingham responded with some good attacking football of their own. They created chances for Dack, who blasted a long volley wide and couldn’t get the right connection from a McCleary through ball.
Colchester looked dangerous on the counter at points, but Gillingham seemed well-prepared for this with players quickly getting back when Colchester began an attack.
The game opened up in the final 15 minutes with both sides having attacking possession in the final third, but likewise both teams defending resolutely with shots blocked at either end.
Both sides made substitutions as they looked to press for a winner. Gillingham shifted to a back three as Max Clark came on in place of Rowe, hoping to offer more width going forward. Dack, who looked the most likely to score was taken off after what looked like a bad knock while blocking a shot.
In the final minutes of normal time, Gillinghgam began playing more long balls into the box in hope of finding a late winner. However, they couldn’t create a clear chance with former Gills player Jack Tucker marshalling the Colchester defence effectively.
In injury time, Colchester had a promising free kick which Turner couldn’t claim in the box, which led to a worrying goalmouth scramble that could easily have led to a goal in the dying minutes. Substitute Shad Ogie managed to clear the danger.
The match ended as scrappily as it began with fouls at either end stopping any meaningful attacks.
While Gillingham might feel frustrated that they had the better chances in the game, they can be pleased that they have kept their first clean sheet since 8th November and stopped their recent trend of poor first half performances.
Securing an away point against another club aiming for the play-off places is a reasonable outcome.
Colchester United: Macey, Iandolo, Araujo, Tucker, Vincent-Young, Read, Bishop (Gape 87), Anderson, Mbick (Goodwin 87), Lisbie (Edwards 68), Tovide (Williams 78).
Subs Not Used: Hunt, Kuffour, Smith.
Booked: Gape (90+4).
Gillingham: Turner, Akomeah (Ogie 79), Gale, McKenzie, Hutton, Little, Coleman, Rowe (Clark 79), Dack (Williams 79), McCleary, Palmer-Houlden (Nevitt 69).
Subs Not Used: Holtam, Cirino, Dayal, Dobbs.
Booked: Rowe (10), Hutton (23), Gale (77), Ogie (90+3).
HT 0–0 FT 0-0
Attendance: 4832 (839 Gills).
Referee: Mr Oliver Mackey
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.