Read stroked home from the spot in the 87th minute after Andy Smith had fouled Jack Tucker in the box.

His goal cancelled out Robbie McKenzie’s 74th-minute opener for the Gills at Priestfield Stadium.

After the final whistle, a huge altercation involving both sets of players and coaching staff erupted on the touchline, as tempers flared.

Colchester’s Harry Anderson and Teddy Bishop were denied by home goalkeeper Jake Turner, who also foiled Micah Mbick before half-time.

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 equalised in the 87th minute through Read’s penalty, with the full-time whistle not ending hostilities.