Young striker Andy Pugh had his hopes of earning a recall to the Gillingham side shattered after being sent-off while on loan at Grays.

Pugh, 20, was due to be recalled by Gills boss Mark Stimson after netting seven goals while on loan at the Blue Square Premier side.

He will now be banned for three games after receiving a straight red card for a high challenge on Eastbourne’s Matt Crabb 79 minutes into Monday’s match at Priory Lane.

The ban means Pugh will no longer play for Grays but if he serves his ban with the Blue Square Premier side he will still be available for Gillingham’s final game of the season at Rochdale.

Stimson said: “That’s put a spanner in the works but it might give someone else the opportunity to come onto the bench.”