Alex MacDonald went some way to making up for his red card in the league during Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy match against Arsenal.

He played in Trae Coyle for Gillingham's equaliser and may well have had another assist after sending Dominic Samuel through on goal, the Gills forward denied by a cynical foul.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans didn’t hide his anger after MacDonald was red-carded in the league game against Sunderland for a rash challenge, hindering their hopes of a win and earning himself a three-game ban.

Discipline rules meant the 30-year-old was able to make a return for the Trophy match against the Gunners before having to sit it out again when the Gills take on Charlton next Saturday.

He’ll still have to do more to make up for his mistake but assistant boss Paul Raynor says they love having him on and off the pitch.

“We know what Macca is about,” said the Gills no.2. “We had him at Mansfield before bringing him in and he did a great job for us there.

“He is an experienced professional. He knows he made a stupid challenge and he knows in no uncertain terms how unhappy we were. He has taken the criticism on the chin and bounced back with an impressive performance.

“He is invaluable in the dressing room, he is a real character and not only is he a good player, he is a real character in and around the group.”

There were numerous impressive displays against an Arsenal team full of star potential.

“Henry Woods was excellent,” Raynor said.

“He is coming on leaps and bounds as we have been saying all season and he has been a massive plus for us, Josh Eccles, I could go on, Maghoma and Drysdale looked more competent with more game time, there were excellent performances all around and I am just disappointed to lose on a penalty shoot-out.”

Matty Willock - a former Arsenal junior - also looked bright, playing most of the match.

Raynor said: “We asked Matty to go a little bit higher and a have a bit more a belief, to intercept higher and try and get close to Vadaine and later to Samuel. He was a lot more effective second half, he won possession nice and high up the pitch and he was a constant treat.

"I am delighted for him, he needs minutes and game time and he has been striving for it, since he came in the door over a year ago. If he can get a run of games and that consistency then he will be an asset to us but I don’t want to pick individuals out.”

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