Gillingham boss Steve Evans thanked chairman Paul Scally for his backing on transfer deadline day.

Evans says he was given permission to sign three players - with two clubs holding onto their men after deals of their own failed to materialise - while Gillingham rejected offers for three of their star performers.

QPR striker Charlie Kelman was Gills’ only signing by the time the window closed at 11pm on Tuesday but there were plenty of negotiations going on behind the scenes.

Evans explained: “I made representation to the chairman for three players and he sanctioned them, two of them ended up not going anywhere because their clubs couldn’t get players in that they wanted, so those players are stuck sitting on the bench, at the top of League 1 or in the Championship, they are not playing.

“I got permission to speak to both and they were really keen to come as well and financially we were agreed, it is disappointing not to have got those two but I was delighted to have got Charlie.”

Kelman might not have joined either as QPR were waiting on completing a deal of their own. They only allowed the striker to leave after signing Andre Gray on loan from Watford.

On those players that didn’t arrive, Evans said: “We were waiting and at about eight o‘clock I was talking to the chairman who was keen for me to be all over it and make it happen, he had done his bit and agreed (finances).”

Evans had to make do with the one new arrival but was delighted he kept some of his big stars, after interest for captain Kyle Dempsey, striker Vadaine Oliver and Jack Tucker before the deadline.

The manager said: “Throughout the day we had different offers from different clubs for our players but the chairman sat down on the Monday and we spoke about values.

“I was delighted to get the support of the chairman and he said at about 9pm that he wasn’t prepared to do it because he said "if I sanctioned any of those it would leave my manager with an impossible challenge to replace these at such short notice."

“The offers weren’t at the level where we felt we could replace them, you take those three lads out and if you had a week or two you would struggle, but if you have a few hours to sign someone you have virtually no chance.

“The chairman has been criticised but he should have been applauded when the window shut. He said he wouldn’t be talking to those clubs anymore because we simply couldn’t replace them in time. Those lads move on and have big parts to play.”