Gillingham fan and local referee Will Campbell-Wroe on his call of duty in League 2 match against Newport County at Priestfield Stadium

Milton Rec on Sunday morning felt a world away from Priestfield for Gills fan and ref Will Campbell-Wroe after his big moment a day earlier.

Level-six referee Will took charge of the Medway Area Sunday League game between Swale Madrid and Swanscombe Tigers, less than 24 hours after finding himself in the thick of the action as the Gills pulled off a thrilling comeback win.

The 49-year-old from Minster, Sheppey had often joked with his daughter and fellow Gills fan - also a qualified referee - that one day they would be needed as an emergency official. That joke became a reality on Saturday.

Gillingham’s League 2 fixture against Newport was halted midway through the second half with the game poised at 1-1. One of the assistant referees was injured, and an announcement was made on the PA system asking if anyone was qualified to step in and help.

Will said: “About four years ago we spotted a story of this happening at a different game and it became a running joke between us every time we went to a game.

“I would say to my daughter, ‘Have you got your good shoes on because this might be the day you end up in the dugouts as the fourth official?!’

“She wasn’t there at the weekend! When I saw what was happening, I thought it was hilarious, it was going to happen and she wasn’t there!”

Will offered his services, and before he knew it, he was in the thick of it as the Gills went 2-1 down, equalised with a penalty and then won the game in the ninth of the 17 minutes that were eventually added on.

Will said: “I sit at the back of the lower section of the Medway Stand and I could see what was unfolding. I knew they were going to make an announcement to ask for an official. I thought, ‘Am I going to do it or not?’

“I had to go down