Pen is no laughing matter for Wellens
OLDHAM boss Richie Wellens was left fuming at a “joke” of an injurytime penalty while opposite number Steve Lovell cracked a funny of his own as the Latics were denied a vital three points in the battle to stay in League One.
Referee Michael Salisbury broke Latics hearts when he inexplicably pointed to the spot following an off-the-ball incident after a lengthy consultation with his assistant.
It left players, staff and supporters on both sides at a loss to explain why the penalty, which was converted by substitute Tom Eaves, was given.
“It’s a joke of a decision,” said Wellens, still reeling after the incident resulted in Wilfied Moimbe’s dismissal and cancelled out Duckens Nazon’s excellent first-half strike.
“Wilfied has spun around after being fouled and has reacted by throwing a punch but the foul was first so fair enough he was sent off but to give a penalty was a joke.
“The ref has made a wrong decision and we didn’t deserve it because for most of the second half we were pretty comfortable.
“It was a shocking decision that has cost us but no doubt the FA will send us an email saying the linesman got it correct.”
Gills boss Lovell was in a more jovial mood, saying: “I think their fella has pulled our player’s hair so it’s lucky he wasn’t bald!
“Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t but the linesman has seen something wrong and the referee has made the decision.
“It was the little bit of luck we needed at the end but we created enough to get a point and we’re disappointed not to have three.”
Nazon had forced the first save of the match after 11 minutes but it was the visitors who looked more likely to make the breakthrough when a period of pressure saw Conor Wilkinson dribble through to the by-line before his shot from a tight angle rebounded off the post.
Minutes later, Wilkinson’s goalbound shot was blocked superbly by skipper Anthony Gerrard and his side took full advantage of the letoff for the remainder of the half, climaxing in a superb individual effort from Nazon, who took on his marker before drilling a low shot past Tomas Holy.
After the interval, Johny Placide made a fine save to keep out Jake Hessenthaler’s close-range header and on 75 minutes Eoin Doyle shot narrowly wide but from then on it was backs to the wall for the Latics until Mr Salisbury intervened.