Gillingham 2 - 2 Colchester United - Loft late show rescues Gills

Doug Loft's dramatic injury-time equaliser earned Gillingham a 2-2 draw and denied struggling Colchester a vital win.

Gills almost went ahead after 20 seconds when U's goalkeeper Sam Walker parried Cody McDonald's effort and also denied Aaron Morris, while the hosts nearly took the lead just before half-time when Luke Norris's shot flew just over.

Chris Porter dragged a shot wide just after half-time but Gillingham might have had a penalty when substitute Jermaine McGlashan went down under Matt Briggs' challenge inside the area.

Colchester took the lead just after the hour when George Moncur finished well from 12 yards from Porter's far-post header.

Walker denied Bradley Dack before Max Ehmer headed in Loft's free-kick to equalise with eight minutes remaining.

Porter headed home Briggs' excellent cross to restore Colchester's lead after 87 minutes and it looked like that might be the winning goal.

However, Gavin Hoyte hit the crossbar for Gillingham in stoppage-time and Briggs was dismissed for two bookable offences in the closing stages, before Loft lashed in a shot from the edge of the area to rescue a draw for the hosts.