Gillingham's Simeon Jackson is grounded against Hartlepool earlier this season. Now Gills boss Mark Stimson wants Pool to lose three points after playing a suspended player on Easter Monday.

By Luke Cawdell

Mark Stimson has reiterated his desire to see Hartlepool deducted the points they gained while playing a suspended player.

The Gills boss wants to see the club punished properly for the offence which saw Gary Liddle play in their Easter Monday win over Brighton despite being suspended.

A three-point deduction would take Chris Turner’s Pool side below the Gills, on 49 points, and in the thick of the relegation battle.

Stimson said: "It will be interesting to see when that comes up because if they lose their three points they are in trouble as well.

"They have played someone who shouldn’t have played and they won the game. Those points should be taken away from them."

Hartlepool, who are currently four points above the drop zone and safe, are expected to find out the outcome of an FA charge for fielding an ineligible player this week.

"It should be done before the season ends," said Stimson. "It shouldn’t be done over the summer because it wouldn’t be fair on a team who might be relegated but could be put back in if they had their points deducted."

If a decision is made to deduct Hartlepool points they may want to lodge an appeal – meaning the saga could drag on after the season ends.

Should Hartlepool lose the three points? Have your say in our comments section.