Gillingham manager Neil Harris faces an FA disciplinary charge but can take his place on the touchline this weekend.

Harris was sent off at Portsmouth last weekend after challenging match referee Darren Drysdale over the home side’s second goal. The Gills boss has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.

The charge alleges that Harris used language and/or behaviour in added time of the game’s first half and was abusive, and/or abusive, and/or insulting, and/or improper. He has until Tuesday to provide a response to the charge, which means he can take his place on the Gills bench this Saturday for their big match against Rotherham United.

Speaking after the Portsmouth game, Harris said: “I take full responsibility for the red card.

“The way I tried to approach the referee was probably wrong but the FA and officials have to realise what is at stake, we are talking about staying in the division, we are talking about a key moment, playing overtime that affects our whole season, it affects 1,200 fans who travel around the country and affects our livelihoods.

“Officials can go home and be happy and get on with it, ‘did we make an error, or not? It doesn’t matter does it?’ It does matter. I am the manager of Gillingham Football Club, it does matter, they let us down.

“If I am aggressive in my nature, if I step on the pitch and use foul and abusive language, then in the heat of the moment, then I have to accept my punishment.

“I can’t change my passion and desire, my winning mentality. I just want people to do their jobs. We didn’t do it as a team, we conceded poor goals, officials didn’t do it in their jobs and we lose a game of football.”

Gillingham goalkeeper coach Deren Ibrahim was also cautioned for his protest as Portsmouth took the lead with a contentious goal.