Gillingham’s winning margin should have been greater at Wigan said their manager Steve Evans.

The Gills won the match 3-2 but had one cleared off the line - which Evans believed should have been given as a goal - and also struck the woodwork.

"It was an entertaining game," said the Gills boss.

"We went there with such a young side and Wigan have an excellent set of players, whatever anyone says.

“We knew we didn’t perform last week ( against Hull City ) and we had a lot of work to do on the training ground. The boys did a lot of work on our shape, which we can change, but it worked.

“We should have gone away very comfortable winners, but we will take three points, no matter how they come, because the game is about winning.”

Jordan Graham scored twice but was denied a hat-trick when the home keeper punched his corner kick clear towards the end of the first half. Evans felt it had crossed the line.

The same player also hit the post from a corner shortly after the interval as he looked to try and take advantage of the goalkeeper’s positioning from the set-pieces.

The Gills boss said: “I was upset with what I thought was a goal direct from a corner. It was disappointing that it hadn’t been picked up."

And he added: "I don’t know why their defender stays on the pitch when John Akinde is through on goal, it was a strange decision, but we are not going to focus on that. Other than that the referee had a good game, but I am really proud of the players.

“I am proud of them win, lose or draw. I said in added on time I would be proud even if they (Wigan) scored again.

“Young Trae Coyle scored with a fantastic finish and was disappointed he didn’t score another one.

“We are entrusted by Mark Robins at Coventry (their manager) with a young man who played against us on Tuesday (Josh Eccles) and then he comes and plays for us like.

“Young Robertson will only get better, he is a terrific talent. I also have to look at my two centre backs. Joe Garner (the Wigan striker) is a real tough opponent, but Maghoma is getting fitter and Tucker is getting more like he was.

“I am really proud of them, proud of how they want to come in and work hard and get on the training ground and smile.

“It is a very young and very energetic team and sometimes it won’t work and sometimes it will. We should have gone away really comfortable winners but we will take it.

“It’s a great group to be around, you only have to look at them in the dressing room, they were phoning their mummies afterwards, it’s really nice!”

Match report: Wigan 2 Gillingham 3