A dazed Charlie Lee is checked over by medical staff. Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Martin Allen admitted the injury to Charlie Lee on Saturday left him with his toughest decision in management.

The Gills boss had already used his three substitutes against York when a clash of heads left midfielder Lee unsteady on his feet.

Gillingham were a goal down at the time and were facing the prospect of playing the last 25 minutes with just 10 men.

Lee was checked over on two separate occasions by the medical staff as he was adamant he wanted to continue. In the end, he finished the game.

Allen said: "It was probably the hardest decision I have had to make on a footballing matter.

"The doctor said no, the player said yes. What do you do? The buck stops with me. Imagine if something happened to him how awful I would have felt.

"He looked at me and just said ‘I want to go on’ and that typified the spirit, the unity and the camaraderie of the players at this club.

"Yes, we do want to win the game of football but the health and well-being of our footballers is far more important than a result in a game of football."

Lee tweeted on Saturday night: "I’m fine everyone thank you feel bit dizzy, but ok now."