Boss Steve Lovell felt Gillingham should have been awarded at least one penalty against Rochdale on Saturday.

The Gills had three big appeals turned down. Luke O’Neill claimed his cross was blocked by an arm and Tom Eaves’ ball in clearly struck the arm of defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell.

In between those appeals, Max Ehmer was furious that a great chance to head home from a corner was scuppered after being manhandled in the box.

Referee Alan Young and his assistants ignored all of their pleas.

Lovell, who rarely criticises officials, said: “There were a couple of decisions that didn’t go our way in the penalty area, which I thought could have.

“Max’s was a definite penalty. Why would he try an overhead kick there when he has a chance of getting onto it? The fella has pulled him around and the one at the end (from Eaves’ cross) he has actually handled it back to the keeper.

“Barry (Fuller) is adamant it was a penalty and I think even though he’s an old man his eyes are all right!”

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Lovell was asked for his thoughts on Brandon Hanlan’s booking after the opposition defender fell on the ball but was awarded a free-kick. Hanlan’s frustration at the decision earned him a yellow card for dissent.

He said: “I just don’t see how that can happen and that is what frustrates me. It frustrates you but you get on with it, you shake his hand at the end of the game and say ‘well played ref, well played linesman’, and you get on with it.”

Several of his players ended the match battered and bruised after a rough encounter, including Fuller who looked like he would have to be replaced at one stage.

“That boy would play on crutches,” added Lovell. “It didn’t bother him did it? He’s been excellent, they all have. They have been great.”