Justin Edinburgh was not happy about Josh Wright's red card against Scunthorpe United
Published: 00:00, 20 October 2015
Updated: 23:48, 20 October 2015
Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh is confident Josh Wright’s red card will be overturned.
Midfielder Wright received a red card against his former club with 10 minutes left of Tuesday night's game against Scunthorpe.
Edinburgh admitted the challenge on Paddy Madden was worthy of a yellow but, like most in the ground, was surprised to see referee Lee Swabey produced a red.
The Gills manager said: “It wasn’t a sending-off, simple as that, and I don’t need to go into depth.
“I am sure that the decision will be rescinded and we move on.
“If that is a sending-off then maybe I am looking at it from a different viewpoint. I don’t deny it would be a yellow card but that is a yellow and certainly not a red.”
Despite Wright’s dismissal the Gills managed to score a winner with 10 men in stoppage-time.
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“I would rather not talk about the referee’s performance,” said Ediburgh.
“I would rather talk about the attitude and desire and the belief that these players showed to secure another three points at Priestfield.”
Wright will serve a three-match ban unless the Gills appeal and are successful.
Team-mate Bradley Dack - who was booked by Swabey - also felt the decision was harsh.
He said: “I didn’t think it was the best decision. I think he has gone to block the ball but he (the referee) wasn’t great all night.”
Reacting to his earlier yellow, Dack said: “I thought it should have been a foul in the first place on Wrighty. I don’t know if it was the referee who tripped him or one of their players.
“Maybe I had to take one for the team. They were on the attack and Wrghty had come out of the defensive midfield position. It was probably a booking but it was a bit out of frustration.”
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Luke Cawdell