ANDY Hessenthaler was critical of his side’s defending as the Gills’ play-off hopes suffered a further setback against Wimbledon last night.

The disappointed player-manager said after the 3-3 draw: “We could have gone seventh tonight if we'd have won. I’m not happy with a point, but I didn’t think we played very well, especially in the first half.

“We weren’t at the races and we were still in the dressing room for the first goal, which was awful defending. My mum could have scored that.”

Talking of the 87th minute penalty incident which earned the Dons a point, Hessenthaler said: “It was not a penalty.

“Mark Saunders tried to get out of the way of the ball. The referee’s given a corner and the assistant’s given a penalty, but we should have not given the goals away we did.

“Once we got ourselves in front we can’t afford to defend the way we did and we will be working on that.”

However, he added: “Credit to the boys in the second half. We came out and had a go. We haven’t lost the game - which we could have done - and at least we’ve got a point.”

Two-goal Paul Shaw added: “We were disappointing in the first half and knew we had to improve. We did and we were unlucky not to come away with all three points.”

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Gillingham 3 Wimbledon 3

A CRACKING game full of energy and endeavour saw Gillingham and Wimbledon share the spoils (Jo Hernon writes).

The Priestfield fans were sent into raptures moments before kick-off with the welcome news that defender Chris Hope had signed a three and a half year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until 2006.

But the buzz soon evaporated when a schoolboy error by the Gills’ defence allowed David Connolly to smash home the opener after just three minutes.

Five goals set the second half alight, with Gills equalising through Paul Shaw and taking the lead with a beautiful glancing header from Rod Wallace.

Nigel Reo-Coker got a tap in to make it 2-2, but Shaw responded immediately to put the home side back in front.

It was end to end throughout and Wimbledon were awarded an 87th minute penalty, which was dispatched with power by skipper Neil Shipperley.