Steve Cotterill raps officials after late Gillingham leveller against Cheltenham

Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill hit out at the officials after Elliott Nevitt snatched a 1-1 draw for Gillingham with the last kick of the game.

The struggling Robins, with Cotterill back in charge for a second spell, took the lead through Sam Sherring’s late header.

But Nevitt was in the right place at the right time to rescue a point for the promotion-chasing Gills at Priestfield.

Cotterill is the most successful manager in Cheltenham’s history and is tasked with maintaining their Football League status.

He said: “I’m gutted after that, especially after the second half. I thought we dealt with their balls into the box well.

“We had a blatant free-kick in the build up to their goal. We would have had a free-kick on the halfway line and then the clock would be running out. That’s the disappointing thing for me.

“I’m sure referee’s get influenced by big crowds. It happens but what can you do about it? There’s a blatant foul.

“I think the boys have worked extremely hard. Before the game we would have taken a point, I think we would have done. But we were on our way for three. There’s not a lot we can do now.

“We didn’t even get to kick off and we didn’t even know if we would get to start again.

“It gives us something to build on, definitely.”

The Gills have now gone three games without a win but did halt a run of two successive defeats.

Assistant manager Richard Dobson was in charge in the absence of Gareth Ainsworth, who has recently undergone heart surgery.

He said: “The feeling is disappointment that we didn’t get what we deserved out of the game.

“I always believed in us and believed we would score and the boys have got great belief in themselves as well.

“I’ve just said to them in the dressing room that we created enough chances, had 30 shots on goal and you usually come away with a win with stats like that.

“I’ve told them that on another day you could have won the game three or four nil.

“It’s a tough division. People come here and make it hard for you.

“We just needed to lay one on a plate for someone to score first for us.

“The lads played to a good level. I’m pleased with a lot of what we saw.

“It’s good they’re disappointed with that result because they’re a team that wants to win matches.”