Gillingham manager Steve Evans saluted the Charlton groundstaff for getting Saturday’s game on and the referee for letting it happen.

Match official Kevin Johnson - who Evans criticised last season after some dubious decisions against AFC Wimbledon - was praised for allowing the staff at Charlton time to prepare the pitch to play on following freezing conditions in London. They did just that.

The pitch at The Valley was unplayable earlier in the afternoon, after an initial inspection, but with no fans in attendance Mr Johnson had no need to rush a decision and gave the staff until kick off to thaw out the section infront of the Jimmy Seed Stand.

By 3pm the pitch was playable and the Gills ran out 3-2 winners after an absorbing contest.

“When we got there I thought the game would be off,” said Evans.

“We had a pitch inspection and there were areas of the pitch that were unplayable. I have to give enormous credit to the Charlton ground staff and for the referee to give them time to get it on. When we went onto the pitch at 3pm it was perfect.

“Ground staff are the unsung people behind football clubs and we have got them too. Our boys got us on the training pitches Thursday/Friday when we shouldn't have been near them.”

Gillingham were able to prepare for Saturday's game only after a large amount of snow was removed from their training ground at Beechings Cross.

Despite the pre-match uncertainty at The Valley, Evans kept it away from the players as best he could. He had been in a heated discussion with Mr Johnson pre-match but went in the dressing room afterwards and assured them all was fine.

“I didn’t give them any doubt,” he said.

“I never told them there was an inspection. The boys came to The Valley and we said the game was on. I spoke to the referee and walked back in and said the pitch is perfect. You have to put positivity in their minds.

“They want to be mentally prepared to play and we showed that with how we started. We showed that was in the forefront of our minds.”

The Gills scored after 31 seconds and went onto win the game 3-2.

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