A “terrible” refereeing performance didn’t help the Gillingham's chances on Tuesday night, said boss Steve Evans.

His team gave Ipswich Town a run for their money before conceding a late goal which settled the match.

Antony Coggins was the man in charge of the midweek League 1 match in Suffolk and Evans was far from impressed with his performance.

“I think the referee has played a key part, which he shouldn’t,” said the Gills boss.

“My personal opinion was that I thought he was terrible. No doubt he will probably get a Championship game on Saturday.”

Evans explained why he was unhappy with the man in the middle, saying: “First half it was a penalty kick, it was handball. He says he (the Ipswich defender) turned his back but he spread his arms. It is a penalty, whichever way you look at it.

“You look at his decisions second half and there are four or five blocks that are goal kicks and he gives corners. That is my personal opinion. It was a poor performance.”

Evans isn't afraid to offer his opinion. He questioned the EFL’s judgement at the weekend after allowing Fleetwood to play them despite not being tested for Covid-19.

Fleetwood had played Accrington days before, a club who have now confirmed 19 positive tests in the camp, between players and staff.

Since his weekend comments , Evans had no contact from the EFL, and said: “How can they question you when you are telling the truth. It’s like tonight (Tuesday) when the referee is stinking, he was poor, that is my opinion.

“People might sit up in the press box and think ‘what is Steve Evans on about? But in my opinion he was very poor. That is what I will feed back. That is what I will say. Am I not allowed an opinion?

“I am not going to abuse him on the field of play like what happened on Saturday at Lincoln, I am not doing that. (Ipswich boss Paul Lambert got a touchline ban after comments that were allegedly made to the weekend match official).

“I said to him (the referee), why didn’t you give a penalty first half? He said the player turned his back. I said he was absolutely correct but he turned his back with his arms out and it’s a penalty. He was just poor.”

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