Two-goal striker Dominic Samuel claims a first-half headbutt helped the Gills to victory at Millwall.

Samuel went down holding his head during an ugly skirmish at the end of the opening half on Saturday.

Tempers flared after a challenge from former Gills player Joe Martin on Ryan Jackson, leading to a free-for-all.

Samuel said: “I got headbutted right infront of the referee and I think you have to make it fair, it doesn’t matter if we are playing at their place or our place, it is a fair sport and I don’t think he made the right decision.

“It was right infront of (the referee) and I was surprised he didn’t see it but that drove us on even more to get the win and that is what we did.”

Samuel had gone four games without a goal. His only previous effort came on his debut against Bury in mid-November.

“I needed to get a goal,” said the 21-year-old Reading loanee.

“I am glad I got back on the scoresheet and the team got a win.

“Every striker wants to score in every game and their job is to score and to create as well. I want to get on the scoresheet no matter what and I am happy that I did.

“It was my best performance (for Gillingam) but it was a team performance, it was a hard game, it will always be tough playing at Millwall, but the boys tuck together and came out with a great result.”

Samuel picked up an early booking on Saturday after going down under a challenge from keeper Jordan Archer. Referee Darren Handley felt is was a dive.

“He got a touch on me so I thought I would try my luck and go down,” said the striker.

“It is an instinct thing and every striker would go down, just to try and get their team a pen.”