Gillingham boss Steve Lovell was fuming at the way his team gave Barnsley a helping hand on Saturday.

He was unhappy with his goalkeeper Tomas Holy for conceding the first and with Elliott LIst for giving away the penalty.

The Gills could have conceded more during a rocky first half performance.

Match Report: Barnsley 2 Gillingham 1

Lovell said: “You can’t give anyone two goals and expect to come back, especially against a quality side like Barnsley.

“We knew they would create us problems and they did, but we gave them two goals.

“The first goal I blame Tomas Holy. It’s gone in his near post and the goalkeeper has got to save that. Everyone says it was a great strike but the goalkeeper has got to save it, I don’t care what you say.

“I said to him (Holy), I shouldn’t have to come in at half-time and give him a rollocking for something like that, you can’t do it. You’ve got 10 outfield players in the first half running around and doing everything they possibly can to keep a really good side out. Tomas has been good for us, but he has to save it, if he saves it it stays 0-0 and who knows?

“He knows. He got the wrath of my tongue at half-time but he came out and did really well second half.

“The second was a penalty from a corner. We knew they would do a short one (corner) and Elliott List doesn’t do his job and it’s a penalty. You can’t give teams a lift.

“It is a learning curve for all of these players. You set yourself standards and you can’t drop below. You have to keep on top of it.”

Lovell changed formation and at the break he told the players exactly what he thought, saying: “There were a few choice words said. I might have to buy Barnsley a bin, I will sort that out.

“To be fair, they came out second half and did us proud, they fought for everything and had a number of opportunities and we could have got something at the end of the game.

“Barnsley were giving us respect at the end, they were wasting time, because they knew they were in for a bit of a fight. I am proud of the boys second half but like I said to them, you can’t come to places like this and give teams a 2-0 lead. It is hard work then.”

The Gills had almost got a goal back before the break, but Eaves was flagged for offside as he turned home a shot across goal from Brandon Hanlan.

Lovell said: “I thought it was going in and Brandon said it was going in. Tom said it wasn’t but he will do.

“I will have a look at it on the tele but you can’t blame Tom because I would have done the same thing. If it is going wide, you have to stick it in, but that could have changed things and that is disappointing. We will take the positives and work to get it right for next week.”

Lovell’s men were 2-1 down when they appealed for a penalty. Josh Parker was among those adamant they should have been awarded a spot-kick but the referee wasn’t moved.

“I couldn’t see,” commented the manager when asked for an opinion.

“The boys were saying it was handball but the referee didn’t give it, so it’s not worth talking about.”