Referee Brendan Malone received plenty of stick from Gillingham’s home support on Wednesday night.

He waved away two penalty appeals and was unmoved when Cody McDonald was wrestled to the ground just outside the area in the opening half.

Gills fans also grew frustrated as United went down easily under challenges, playing for time, which Malone let happen.

But for Gills boss Peter Taylor, he felt the referee was even-handed.

He said: “It was a frustrating night and I am sure both of us managers felt we should have had certain decisions and certainly got some that we didn’t think we would get. I think that evens itself.

“I don’t think the referee has cost us the result. At the end of the day the ball just didn’t drop.

“I didn’t get a great view (of the penalty appeals). You are always hoping but for me there did seem to be a lot of handballs in the game, quite a few arms were flying around and there might have been one against us as well. That’s how it goes.

“I look at the referee and to be fair to him, he has been alright. He has been pretty fair to both teams and if he has got things wrong then he has got things wrong for both.”

Steven Gregory was booked for a challenge in the second half and he felt the decision was harsh.

The midfielder said: "I wasn’t too impressed (with the referee) and I didn’t touch the guy when I got booked, I know that much.

“What can you do? I don’t think he has cost us the game. Maybe he hasn’t had the best of games but I don’t think we can blame the defeat on the referee.”

Malone didn't give the Gills a penalty on Wednesday night but he did point to the spot back in November when Taylor's men played Stevenage. Danny Kedwell's converted on that occasion.