GILLINGHAM'S player-manager Andy Hessenthaler has disclosed how he came under fire from unnamed critics for handing goalkeeper Jason Brown his league debut in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat of Grimsby.

First choice Vince Bartram was dropped after 103 consecutive appearances and replaced by his 19-year-old understudy. Brown retained his place in Saturday's side and starred in the goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The Gills boss said afterwards: "I was criticised by some people for picking Jason in midweek and he proved them wrong. I kept him in the side against Sheffield Wednesday and he more than justified that faith by keeping a first clean sheet.

"I'm absolutely delighted for the lad because he's waited patiently for his chance and when it came he took it." Asked to name his critics, Hessenthaler said: "I don't think it's appropriate to name names."

Skipper Paul Smith, a close friend of Bartram's, backed the manager's stance over Brown, adding: "I thought Jason was outstanding. By coming in and playing well he has hotted up the competition for the goalkeeper's place. We now have two good goalkeepers."

Brown's magnificent late save from Wednesday substitute Simon Donnelly earned Gillingham their 51st point of the season and deepened Hillsborough's relegation gloom. Wednesday manager Terry Yorath described the save as fantastic but was furious with referee Paul Armstrong for disallowing two strong penalty appeals against Nyron Nosworthy and Roland Edge.

"I spoke to the referee at half time because we had two good penalty appeals turned down. If I said what I really feel I would be in big trouble with the FA."

But Hessenthaler was dismissive of Yorath's claims and described the pitch as a nightmare to play on. He said: "If Terry thought they should have had a penalty for Nyron's challenge on Kuqi then I'm surprised because the tackle was good. As for the other claim, it was outside the box.

"I'm satisfied with a point because the conditions were a nightmare and I'm bound to say that we rode our luck, especially in the first half. Once we got to grips with the conditions we were hard to play against and the clean sheet was a bonus.

"We are only five points from the total we managed last season and we still have eight games to play. That is superb when you consider the size of this club's budget. It just shows the character of the players."