Young Gillingham forward Joe Gbode was stretchered off on Saturday after suffering a head injury.

Manager Mark Bonner provided an update after the match following a worrying bang which left the 19-year-old concussed.

Report: Gills 1 Salford 0

“He was good,” said Bonner post-match. “He had a few good moments actually so it was frustrating and disappointing that he had to come off.

“He hasn't played so much recently and then he goes and gets pretty much knocked out for a second or so.

“We used that as a concussion sub actually, it was the first one we've done (this season), which would have enabled us to still make five subs. We didn't use all the other ones in the end but it does give you the opportunity to do that.

“We did that because we thought we might need everybody but that will keep him out for a week or so now and we'll have to go through some protocols because I think he was out for a little bit.”

The first-half blow came amid a series of knocks, fouls and incidents as both teams gave it their all.

Bonner didn’t think there was anything untoward in the challenge on Gbode.

He said: “It's a bit innocuous really, he's not really clued on to the throw-in, their lad comes pressing and catches him with an elbow.

“I don't think there's any malice in it, he just catches him unawares as he turns and obviously puts him on the deck.

“(He) was stretched it off but by the time we came in at half-time he was up and about and being his normal self.

“Hopefully all good there and it might keep him out for a little bit just because you have to follow certain protocols which he's right but he's good.”