Evans hits out at ref Nield after stalemate

GILLINGHAM boss Steve Evans slammed referee Tom Nield’s performance after his side were held by Lincoln City.

The Imps had left-back Tayo Edun sent off in the final minute, but the outspoken Scot thought the hosts should have had two more dismissed in a match played in blustery conditions.

“I’ve seen two challenges, one near the touchline in the first half. I’m not going to name the player [Jake Hesketh] because he knows who he is,” said Evans.

“And there was the one near the end by Michael Bostwick on Regan Charles-Cook. They were both disgraceful, they have no place in football, yet both players stayed on the pitch.”

Evans went on: “The wind spoilt it. It was a game of two halves and in the first half we had to defend it. We did that relatively well. They only had one half-chance.

“In the second half, we had the advantage of the weather.”

City were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men after 13 minutes when Hesketh felled

Connor Ogilvie with a high and dangerous challenge, but he was only shown a yellow card.

The decision enraged Evans, who was booked himself a few minutes later as he continued to remonstrate with the officials.

The best chance of the first half fell to Imps forward Anthony Scully, who volleyed wide from a good position.

At the other end, Max Ehmer was denied by the legs of Lincoln goalkeeper Josh Vickers.

In the second half, Imps sub Harry Anderson went close twice, while a drab affair came to life in the closing stages as the home side were reduced to ten men when Edun was sent off in the final minute of normal time.

Following an off-the-ball altercation with Brandon Hanlan, he was booked for a second time.

Lincoln manager Michael Appleton confirmed he will try and overturn Edun’s red card.

“We will appeal it,” he said. “We probably won’t win, but I wouldn’t be fair on him if I didn’t try and back him.”

Appleton was pleased with the way his young side competed, adding: “I’m delighted with the commitment the boys showed. There were a lot of young lads out there and that type of game will do them good.”