Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth reacts to controversial Tranmere Rovers goal in 1-1 draw in League Two

Manager Gareth Ainsworth had to tread a fine line when quizzed about the standard of officiating in Gillingham's draw at Tranmere.

The Gills looked to be heading for a controversial defeat after a clear offside in the build-up to Tranmere's opening goal by Omari Patrick just past the hour mark.

But it wasn't just that decision that had fans wondering what was going on. The referee, Declan Bourne, took centre stage too many times, the red card for Max Clark in stoppage time was bordering on ridiculous and Ainsworth's mood was not helped by an early booking on the touchline for the Gills boss.

"If you're going to count legal goals, we should have won 1-0 because their goal is so offside," said Ainsworth.

"I've said I'm not going to get myself in trouble, but officials have to get these moments right.

"If VAR is in our league, that's totally ruled out. That's offside. The guy's coming back. All my guys have stopped and it's so obvious.

"But listen, it's a tough job. I wouldn't like to a referee. Having said that, the resilience this group show, and not just that, the persistence and the belief that they show to score in the 92nd minute, to come back into the game, then see the game out, wasn't pretty.

"We're away from home. I set up to be solid away from home. This team beat Shrewsbury last week 4-0.

"I wanted to bring something home from here. Fans were unbelievable, unbelievable. I'm telling you, I was pumped, probably more pumped after I got my yellow card - I don't even know what that was for properly."

Goalscorer Patrick was onside but substitute Kristian Dennis had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, he came back from an offside position and it should have been an easy spot for the assistant.

"The one who