No repeat of late MK Dons agony

WILKINSON RED WILL STAND

Gills decided against appealing Conor Wilkinson’s red card against Bradford – after being advised that they wouldn’t win it. It means the former Bolton striker has to sit out the next three games, starting at MK Dons on Saturday. Head coach Ady Pennock’s initial reaction was to appeal the decision but the club would not risk having the ban extended by the FA. Pennock said: “We spoke to the referee and we also spoke to the assessor and they said there is no way we would win the appeal. They told us there would be no point because he lunged in. My argument was that he was nowhere near the player but they said there was intent and aggression. My worry was that we could appeal and they could then add another game (to the ban).” Ady Pennock wants no repeat of the shocker at MK Dons towards the back end of last season.

Gillingham conceded two early goals, scored twice in the second half to pull level but then conceded again in stoppage time to lose the game 3-2.

Bradley Dack was sent off in the mayhem, for dissent to the referee, a ban that was later extended to four games.

“That did take the stuffing out of me,” said Gills boss Pennock. “We got it back to 2-2 and just didn’t manage the game properly. We had done ever so well to come back to 2-2.

“That was one of the games you look back on and think ‘wow, what happened there?’ But that was last season, we just have to look forward now, put in a good performance on Saturday and go for the three points.”

Pennock believes his side are a “different animal” to the one that struggled last season.

He said: “I’m pleased with the players so far. We went down to 10 men in the last 15 minutes (last weekend) but we were stronger and fitter and created a lot of chances.

“We had a goal disallowed but I looked back at our penalty appeal and we definitely should have had one. Those decisions change games.

“Those small decisions went against us but I am more than happy. Every game I am looking forward to it.”