Andy Hessenthaler was left "livid" at a refereeing decision which he felt cost his Gillingham side three points on Saturday.

Bradford netted an 83rd minute equaliser to deny the Gills of a much-needed victory at Valley Parade.

But that leveller was shrouded in controversy. A linesman’s flag had initially ruled James Hanson’s goal out but, after several minutes of consultation between the officials, referee Scott Mathieson awarded the hosts the goal.

Hessenthaler felt the goal should not have stood as when the ball was struck his keeper Paulo Gazzaniga was left unsighted by Bradford’s Nahki Wells, who was in an offside position.

"The player was interfering with play, he was active. Simple." said Gills boss Hessenthaler.

"We have seen it and freeze-framed it. The ball goes through their player’s legs and he might not have made any contact with the ball but it doesn’t matter. He is active and he tried to flick the ball in.

"My goalkeeper can’t make a save because he has got a player in front of him who is trying to flick the ball in. It has to be offside, simple as that.

"The referee said he will have a look at it. What’s that going to do for us? Nothing."

The Gills had been leading the game 2-0 and were heading for maximum points.

"This is not and easy place to come and they are fighting for their lives," Hessenthaler said.

"We were terrific in the first half and we made it hard for them. Our keeper hasn’t had much to do in the first half. We got the opening goal and we have asked Lewis Montrose all week to get himself into the box. He made a late run, gets on the end of it and we go 1-0 up.

"We are pleased and we were comfortable. We were expecting it to be a bit like the Alamo in the second half. They are going to come at us because they are fighting. The second goal came through us putting pressure on them.

"I couldn’t have asked for any more from my players. Yes we were a bit deep at times but we were away from home against a team fighting for their lives and I felt we were terrific.

"We are disappointed because, at the end of the day, a refereeing decision has cost us the game."

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