Gillingham’s stuttering season suffered saw Gareth Anisworth’s side register yet another draw, this time at home to Colchester United on Monday evening.
With the side having gone into the game at MEMS Priestfield realistically needing a win to stay in touch with the League Two play-off places, the fans were to go home disappointed yet again with just a point.
It had looked like the run of draws had come to an end when Robbie McKenzie fired home in front of the Rainham End with fifteen minutes to go, but the visitors were there to spoil the party in the dying seconds of normal time.
Unsavoury scenes at the full-time whistle summed up the frustration shared by the players, management and fans alike with The FA likely to look at all the pushing and shoving that ensued.
Going into the game, Ainsworth shuffled the pack once again, bringing the fit again Conor Masterson straight back into the starting eleven alongside Andy Smith and Sam Gale with Bradley Dack handed a start as The Gills played both Sam Vokes and Seb Palmer-Houlden up top.
However, the first forty five minutes really failed to deliver and fans were left wondering what they should have for their half time drink, a Bovril or something stronger.
Colchester’s Harry Anderson and Teddy Bishop were denied by home goalkeeper Jake Turner, who also foiled Micah Mbick before half-time as The Gills failed really to test the opposing custodian in the opening 45 minjutes.
Gillingham went close in the 53rd minute when Sam Gale’s header from Bradley Dack’s free-kick into the box rattled a post.
And the hosts went ahead when McKenzie side-footed a fine shot past goalkeeper Matt Macey after Aaron Rowe had done well to advance forward and pick out his team-mate.
Gillingham substitute Josh Andrews headed just wide from Remeao Hutton’s delivery soon after.
But Colchester United equalised in the 87th minute through Arthur Read’s penalty after Andy Smith had fouled former Gills defender Jack Tucker in the box, with the full-time whistle not ending hostilities.
The point sees The Gills end 2025 sitting 11th in League Two, six points outside the play-off places, eleven points behind third placed Walsall and now thirteen points behind new league leaders Bromley.
With trips to second placed Swindon Town on New Year’s Day and sixth placed Notts County on Sunday 4th January, The Gills face two tough away fixtures and anything less than four points could see the side starting to drift away from any hopes of promotion this season.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, A. Smith, Masterson (Coleman 90), Gale, Rowe, McKenzie, Little, Dack (J. Williams 90), Palmer-Houlden (Nevitt 68), Vokes (Andrews 58).
Subs not used: Morris, Ogie, Clark.
Goal: McKenzie (74).
Booked: Little (86).
Colchester United: Macey, Hunt, Iandolo, Tucker, Anderson (Edwards 68), Bishop, Payne (Goodwin 82), Lisbie (Vincent-Young 96), Read, Harvey Araujo, Mbick (Tovide 81).
Subs: not used Smith, Gape, Terry.
Goal: Read (pen 87).
Booked: Lisbie (77).
Referee: Matthew Russell
Attendance: 7284 (930 Colchester)
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.