Gillingham boss Steve Evans has called for retrospective action to be taken against players who attempt to deceive match officials by simulation.

Evans felt that Lincoln City’s Brennan Johnson had conned the referee by diving in the box, winning what turned out to be a crucial penalty. Referee Samuel Barrott was well positioned behind the incident but awarded the spot-kick.

City scored the penalty and it gave them a 2-0 lead in the match. Gillingham had been in the game up until that point but a second goal changed everything.

Evans spoke afterwards of his fury at the penalty decision - as well as the way Mr Barrott called the Lincoln players by their nicknames - and spoke to the head of referring about the incident.

The manager, speaking to the club’s media, said: “After reviewing the incident after the game we felt disappointed as, in our view, the referee in charge had been conned into awarding a spot kick in the second half.

"The Head of Referees confirmed this morning (Saturday) that he had discussed the decision with three senior colleagues and they were unanimous in their conclusions that it was simulation and the penalty should not have been awarded.”

Evans referred to an incident in Scotland where there is a retrospective simulation rule which can lead to a player being banned for matches if found guilty.

He added: "I would like to thank the EFL and the officiating authorities for their time, the conversations that have taken place over the last 12 hours, for their insight and for their commitment in dealing with simulation to protect the integrity of the game, and for looking to enhance their match officials performances, which is something we should all be striving for.

“It cannot be allowed to continue and go unpunished."

Read more on the Gills