Leeds 1 Gillingham 1

GILLINGHAM manager Stan Ternent was left a frustrated man as his side came away from Leeds with just a point.

But his frustration was doubled as he came to terms with the loss of Darius Henderson for three matches, after the striker was sent off following a clash with Leeds' Michael Gray, which led to a mass brawl.

But the Gills boss indicated he could appeal against the suspension.

Ternent felt his side should have earned all three points after a battling display at Elland Road but praised his team's efforts.

Ternent said: "I'm disappointed not to get three points. I thought we played quite well. We had a couple of chances to get a second goal, which is what we needed, but overall I thought we more than deserved a point.

"We had to withstand a lot of pressure. We defended quite well but we certainly had the best chances in the game, there's no question at all about that.

"You have to fight. I could have done with getting here a little earlier than I did, a month or two earlier, but the players are giving me everything they've got.

"I think they're playing very well, they've got the bit between their teeth and we fancy getting out.

"A point is really disappointing for us but it's not an easy place to come, Elland Road, and I felt we deserved a point so we'll take that but we've got a game on Tuesday against Stoke and it's a game we have to win."

On the Henderson incident, Ternent said his player was harshly dealt with and said he would appeal against the three-match ban facing his striker.

He added: "I didn't think my player should have been sent off. Micky Gray hit him in the face and then all hell let loose and Darius has tried to keep him away. I haven't seen the referee but I intend to speak to him.

"I don't normally talk about other players but it was totally out of character for him (Gray) and I don't know what sparked him to do that.

"It was a competitive match. There was no quarter asked and no quarter given. Leeds are going for the play-offs and we’re scrapping to stay in the Championship and that's how it is.

"But when you get players sent off and they're out for three games – they're the things I don't need.

"If it's justified then I'll hold my hands up and say yes but they could have sent everybody off there. I'll look at it again but I saw what happened."

On a more positive note, Ternent lavished praise on his Blackburn duo Jay McEveley and Jonathan Douglas who both excelled on debut.

He said: "They're very good players, which is why they are here. Jay's an extremely good player and Dougie's an international footballer.

"They've both come from the Premiership where they've been playing reserve team football and they probably need a game or two to get to grips with the Championship but I thought they played very well, the pair of them."