by Alex Hoad

Andy Hessenthaler bemoaned Gillingham’s luck after seeing his 10-man side beaten 3-1 at Priestfield by Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Gills saw 17-year-old debutant Callum Davies dismissed for a professional foul on 26 minutes before a freak goal from Byron Moore put the visitors ahead and Clayton Donaldson made it 2-0 in first half stoppage time.

Debutant loanee Chris Whelpdale headed Gills back into the game a minute into the second half but Sean Miller completed the scoring from a one-on-one 13 minutes from time.

Gillingham boss Hessenthaler said: "I actually don’t feel as bad as I did last week. That’s what I said to the players. I think when things don’t go for you, they don’t go for you.

"I’ve studied the video and there’s things today that have gone against us. The sending-off is never a sending-off.

"Callum Kennedy is actually coming round to cover and the boy has overrun it. For me it was a very harsh decision that has gone against us. I’m absolutely devastated for the lad. He’s crying, the kid’s in tears, but he was outstanding."

Hessenthaler added: "Cody McDonald’s header was clearly on side, he was level, that’s another decision that’s gone against us and with their (first) goal the fella didn’t even know he’d scored – it just hit him and went in.

"I can’t ask any more of the players. They put a massive shift in for everybody."

He added: "I’m disappointed we got beaten. It wasn’t for the lack of trying. It’s tough times but I can take a lot from the game today.

"We’ll keep working hard and keep believing in what we’re doing. Now we look forward to Oxford. We’re just looking at one game at a time."

Andy Hessenthaler puts a consoling arm around youngster Callum Davies after his sending off Picture: Barry Goodwin