GILLINGHAM manager Ronnie Jepson praised his side’s battling qualities but could only admire the moment of magic that won last Saturday's game.

The Gills left Nottingham Forest with nothing after Lewis McGugan’s superb free-kick stole the points late on for the home side.

It was harsh on the visitors, but another example of the quality that separates those at the top from Gillingham and the other mid-table teams.

"It was a great goal and you have got to give the kid credit," said Jepson. "It was top class and worthy of the Premier League. The pace he got on it was quite unbelievable.”

The 85th-minute winner came after Gillingham had matched their hosts for most of the second half, but Jepson was again left to rue some costly decisions by the officials.

Jepson felt the free-kick that proceeded the goal should never have been given after Brent Sancho's challenge on Kris Commons, while he believed a challenge on Gary Mulligan should have led to a penalty.

"I didn’t think it was a free-kick,” Jepson said. "The referee was five yards away and wasn’t going to give it, but the busy linesman who is about 20 yards away gave it.

"It's just a shame the linesman on the other side wasn't as busy when Gary Mulligan was pulled down in the box, which for me was a blatant penalty.

"Mulligan is as honest as the day is long. But when you haven't got 20,000 people shouting for a penalty sometimes you don't get them."

He added: "Maybe if we got two or three decisions it could have gone our way and we might have got a point."