Gillingham’s John Schofield refused to blame referee Gavin Ward after they were denied a last-gasp penalty on Saturday.

The Gills felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick moments after Brentford equalised in the fifth minute of stoppage time at Priestfield when Cody McDonald went down in the penalty area.

But assistant boss Schofield (left) came to the defence of the official.

“That happens,” said Schofield. “You can go on all day about this, that and the other. I referee the games in training and it’s not an easy job.

“Everybody’s trying to do their best and make sure every decision is right, like we do. We don’t get everything right, so that’s football.

“We can complain as much as we want but the decision’s been and gone now.

“Speaking to Cody, the referee has said he felt Cody kicked the ground. Cody’s saying the lad’s caught him as he’s gone to strike it which has caused him to kick the ground.

“Cody’s not that type of player (to dive) anyway. But, like I said, the referee gives what he sees and we have to stand by those decisions.”