Manager Andy Hessenthaler leaves the bench to shout instructions during Gillingham's 3-1 defeat to Barnet Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler expressed frustration at his side’s inconsistency after crashing out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.

Gillingham clocked up numerous goal-scoring chances in the first half against fellow League 2 side Barnet but were ran ragged in the second.

Gills boss Hessenthaler said: “We were dominant first half and the game could have been out of sight. Typical us we have a good 45 minutes and then we have a bad one.

“We can’t play consistently for 90 minutes for some reason. On Saturday against Wimbledon in the first half we were nowhere near it but second half we could have scored six or seven. We did the opposite this time.

“I am not happy and it’s come at a cost as we have lost some players through injury.”

The Gills led the game early on but it was all-square from the penalty spot. Barnet went ahead just moments after defender Matt Fish limped off with a hip injury and there was no coming back from that for the Gills.

“I think that was the turning point,” said Hessenthaler. “He had kept (Barnet winger) Mark Marshall pretty quiet most of the night.

“No disrespect to (replacement) Chris Whelpdale, but he is not a right-back, and he made it easy for him (Marshall) when he went to ground. After the goal we looked like we threw the towel in a bit.”

Johnstone’s Paint finalists play at Wembley and that chance for the Gills has now gone for another season.

“I know it’s not the be all and end all but it was an opportunity for the players to play at Wembley,” said the Gills boss.

“I wrote it up on the board, ‘the chance to play at Wembley’. Some players have played there, I’ve played there and I know what it feels like.

“We wanted to get to Wembley and we pretty much shot ourselves in the foot with the second half performance. It wasn’t acceptable.”

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