Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler can concentrate on all things football after a racist complaint made against him was dropped.

It came to light on Wednesday lunchtime that Crawley Town manager Steve Evans had made a complaint to Sussex Police about Hessenthaler’s behaviour following Monday afternoon’s game at the Broadfield Stadium.

However, Evans has now withdrawn the complaint against Hessenthaler after the police had spoken to the pair with Gillingham Football Club issuing the following statement on their website:

“We are aware that an unfounded allegation was made by a member of staff at Crawley Town FC about comments between the benches at the game between Gillingham and Crawley on Boxing Day.

“We were prepared to challenge and rigorously defend Gillingham FC and Andy Hessenthaler in particular with regard to these allegations and are disappointed in the extreme that such suggestions were made and put into the public domain.”

“Sussex Police have looked into the matter and have advised the club that they have closed their investigation and will be taking it no further.”

“We are pleased that we can now put the allegation behind us and focus on a tremendous result in the game and continue our preparations against Dagenham on Friday and beyond.”

“The club will be making no further comment.”

Both managers were seen to be in active discussions during the game on Monday in which Gillingham came from behind to win 2-1 with the return game at Priestfield on Tuesday 20th March set to be a lively affair.