STAN TERNENT described Sunday as "the lowest day of my managerial career" as he saw Gillingham relegated into League 1.

It was his first taste of the drop as Crewe and Brighton both got the points they needed while an 85th minute equaliser from substitute Eugen Bopp, with his first touch of the game, doomed Gillingham as the game ended 2-2.

The Gills had to win to be certain of staying up and Crewe’s comeback against Coventry and Brighton’s plucky 1-1 draw with Ipswich, coupled with some sloppy Gillingham finishing, ensured there were no last-day heroics for Ternent’s men.

He said: "The players have done well for me but it did not go our way and we must take it on the chin. I’d never suffered a relegation before and it’s not a nice taste. I thank my players for their effort. They are as flat as I am at the moment.

"I could have done with arriving a month earlier because we were in a difficult position when I took over. We got to 50 points but were relegated on goal difference and that’s a big kick in the teeth. It’s as if fate conspired against us."

Talking of his future, he would neither confirm his departure or be drawn on talks about a new contract and added: "I just want to let the dust settle and see where we are then."

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How the season unfolded
Forest v Gills: match report
Forest v Gills: how the players rated