Gillingham manager Neil Harris is considering an appeal over Charlie Kelman’s red card - after two players were sent off for the same challenge.

Gills striker Kelman and Fleetwood’s Paddy Lane were shown straight red cards by referee James Linington after the pair went in fully committed to win a loose ball. Lane came off worse but Harris felt, on initial viewing, that his man did no wrong. It was a situation Harris had never come across before, with two players sent off for a single challenge.

Harris said: “I have to always be careful with what I say, because James Linington is a very good official in my opinion, and I don’t want to be too harsh on him, he did okay in the game.

“I have had the fortunate opportunity to see it in full speed during the game, and seen it from two different angles back (on video replay), unless there is more footage to show me that Charlie Kelman is out of control in a tackle, I don’t think it is a red card.

“We hope Paddy Lane is okay, first and foremost, hope the injury isn’t too severe, but it is two-footed off the floor. I can see why it is a red card (for him).

“Myself and Stephen Crainey (the Fleetwood manager) are two football men and had it been two yellow cards everyone shakes hands and we move on. The referee makes a decision and I have never seen it before in the history of the game that I have been involved in, as a kid, player or manager, two red cards for challenges, quite bizarre really.

“I am disappointed because we now lose Charlie Kelman for the last two fixtures, my gut feeling is we will appeal, from the footage I have seen we will appeal it and have very good grounds.”

Mr Linington showed a red card to Lane while he was still on the ground getting treatment - he was later stretchered off - before then also dismissing Kelman to the surprise of many inside the ground.

Play restarted with a Gillingham free-kick, Harris saying he was told by the official that "the first contact was by their player."

Harris spoke with the referee before his post-match press conference and added: “He was good enough to give me his time but we have had to agree to disagree that he got it wrong.

“(He said) Charlie’s red card was for being aggressive in the tackle, the referee is saying that the force of the challenge, the ball is running away from him, he is over aggressive.

“We are not disputing Paddy Lane was two-footed off the floor, we are fortunate Charlie is okay and we hope Paddy is okay. I thought there was only one player who was endangering an opponent. I thought our player was okay, but I will be clear, I need to see the footage (again).”

There was another big moment earlier in the game involving Kelman when he went down in the box after defender Toto Nsiala went over the top of him. Mr Linington waved play on.

Harris was asked what his opinion of the decision was.

He said: “The referee made his decision clear at the time. He didn’t think it was a foul. I put it to him what if there was contact 10 yards outside the box? He says it is an easier decision to make.

“If the ball is on the halfway line and our centre half goes over the top of their player, he is going give a foul, there is no difference.”

If Kelman’s red card stands then he will miss the final two games of the season for the Gills. The young striker is on loan this season from QPR and has been a regular starter under Harris.

Fleetwood boss Crainey accepted Lane's red card and said of the incident: "It looked like an old-school full-blooded challenge from the side. I feel it’s a bit harsh sending both players off because the both of them were fully committed so it’s a little bit frustrating in that sense, but the main thing is Paddy’s welfare.

“He’s been outstanding and is always around the top of the charts for goals and assists this season so hopefully he’s okay. It’s going to be disappointing losing Paddy (to suspension) but it gives someone else a chance to come into the team and stake their claim.”

An update from Fleetwood on Tuesday morning said that their player wasn't as badly injured as first feared, saying: "Following medical examination by club staff, we are pleased to report Paddy did not require hospital treatment and travelled home with the rest of the squad on Monday evening."