Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler was livid with referee Scott Mathieson for allowing Bradford’s late equaliser on Saturday afternoon.

Everything had been going so well for Hessenthaler’s side as they looked to climb closer to the play-off places with Lewis Montrose heading them in front on 25 minutes.

When Simon Ramsden put the ball past his own keeper ten minutes into the second half it seemed as though Gillingham would be cruising to another victory.

Substitute Nahki Wells pulled one back when he headed home Kyel Reid’s cross on 71 minutes and it was Wells that was involved in the controversial goal that denied Gillingham fifteen minutes later.

Reid’s cross fell to James Hanson and his touch and shot went through the legs of Wells who was standing in front of Paulo Gazzaniga, with the ball ending up in the net past the unsighted Gills keeper.

Initially the linesman flagged for offside as Wells was clearly in an offside position and interfering with play, but after much consulatation with referee Scott Mathieson and under pressure from Bradford’s players, the goal was awarded.

Hessenthaler tried to confront Mathieson at the full-time whistle about the decision that cost his side all three points and speaking after the game, The Gills boss was still livid:

“It was clearly offside for the equaliser,”

“Considering the amount of time the referee spent talking to his linesman I knew he was going to give the goal. You could see the reaction of our players.

“The linesman did his job and got it right. I’ve seen the DVD of the goal. It was interfering with play and active, it’s simple. My goalkeeper can’t make a save as he’s waiting for the fella to flick it in and it’s embarrassing, it was clearly offside and it’s cost us three points so we’re livid.”

“I have to be careful about what I say about the goal but it was definitely offside.”

“Wells was interfering – it is as simple as that.” Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent.

The decision to award the goal could go a long way to defining Gillingham’s season as they stay four points adrift of Oxford United in the last play-off place and Hessenthaler was less than impressed with the referee, but pleased with his side for the effort they put into the game:

“The referee said he’d have a look at it, what’s that going to do for us?”

“I though we were terrific today. We’re disappointed because a refereeing decision has cost us the game.”

Hessenthaler now has just a few days to pick his side up once again as they look to find a win at Burton Albion on Tuesday night.

The good news is that he will have two more players available with Charlie Lee and Danny Spiller back from suspension.

With just eight games left to play now this season, time is fast running out for The Gills who can ill afford to lose ground on the top seven.