Gills head coach Ady Pennock was unimpressed by a few ‘naughty challenges’ on Tuesday night.

Keeper Steve Arnold was left with a broken nose and lost a couple of teeth following a coming together with former Gills man Jermaine McGlashan.

Pennock said: “There were two or three naughty challenges. I didn’t understand the Conor Wilkinson challenge at the end either, it was a naughty one.

Report: Gillingham 2 Southend United 1

“The referee has dealt with it, but that’s just me being honest, there were two or three naughty challenges and there could have been red cards.”

Despite the knocks, Gills came out on top, claiming their first win of the season.

“It is pleasing and it was thoroughly deserved,” said the head coach.

“It was an entertaining game, we scored two good goals, and for the second one it was a great free-kick by DJ. It is pleasing to get the win and it just rolled over from Saturday. It was long overdue but thoroughly deserved.

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“Scoring five goals in two games, who would have thought? It’s testament to the players, we gave some starts to players who needed some minutes and it was a tough game. They are a very tough side. I was very pleased that we have come through.”