Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler makes his point to Barnet striker Izale McLeod on Tuesday night Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

An injury to Gillingham defender Garry Richards soured what should have been another night of joy for boss Andy Hessenthaler.

A patched-up Gills team beat lowly Barnet 3-1 but lost Richards to a suspected broken leg early in the game.

“We are frustrated,” said Hessenthaler, who already had 13 senior players either injured, ill or suspended.

And the Gills boss was keen to see video evidence of the challenge, from the division’s leading scorer Izale McLeod, after suggestions of foul play.

“Garry thinks the lad has done it on purpose,” said the Gills manager. “If he has done it on purpose then it’s scandalous, especially if he has broken his leg.

“Only the lad will know whether he did it on purpose.”

The Gills went a goal behind but scored three in the second half to win the match.

Hessenthaler said: “It was a real committed performance and at half-time we said, ‘look, we are still in this game’.

“We made just one mistake in the first half and they punished us after a bit of poor defending, where we switched off. We came out and didn’t mark the man.

“But we said we could still win it. We made a great start to the second half and were tremendous.”

Dennis Oli – who was recalled because of the lack of numbers – came off the bench to replace Danny Kedwell at half-time and hit the equaliser. Jordan Obita and Charlie Lee then struck in the last 15 minutes.

“He (Oli) has won the game for us and what a start,” said Hessenthaler.

“It was great play from the young lad Ashley Miller, a great ball from Whelpdale and a tremendous finish across the keeper.

“Jordan grew into the game. He took his time with the finish and scored.

“Chris Whelpdale is not happy with the third goal because right at the end we swapped him with Charlie. Charlie was limping around and could barely move.

“We put Whelpdale right-back and Charlie right wing and then all-of-a-sudden the ball comes to Charlie, where Whelps might have been, and he nicked a goal. I think they have had a bit of an argument!

“It was a tremendous effort and there were a few running on empty.”