Tony Humes admitted Colchester United's 2-2 draw with Gillingham felt more like a defeat after they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser at the Priestfield Stadium.

Doug Loft struck in the seventh minute of time added on to deny the U's a vital win, in their battle to beat the drop from League One.

George Moncur put Colchester ahead just after the hour and although Max Ehmer equalised with eight minutes remaining for the hosts, it looked as though Chris Porter had secured three points for the visitors.

But after Matt Briggs had been sent off in the closing stages, Loft netted a late, late equaliser to leave the U's four points from safety in their battle to beat the drop.

U's boss Humes said: “It feels like a defeat - we were so close yet so far yet again.

“The boys have been fantastic but it was a bit of naivety and youthful exuberance and you have to learn to manage games.

“If we had, we’d have got three fantastic points and I thought we were superb out there apart from 90 seconds.

“We were disappointed when the first goal went in because we took the lead and we were looking comfortable.

“We knew what to expect all game and I don’t think Gillingham caused us masses of problems other than the set plays that were going in.

“We dealt with them OK but with their first goal someone left their marker and they scored.

“The response was fantastic and we dug in and got back into the lead with a great goal from Chris Porter but then the referee has found seven minutes from somewhere."

For five pages of coverage of the U's game with Gillingham, see Monday's Daily Gazette.