Gillingham's Charlie Kelman and Fleetwood's Paddy Lane were both sent off after going into the same challenge; Manager Neil Harris plans to appeal

Gillingham manager Neil Harris is considering an appeal over Charlie Kelman’s red card - after two players were sent off for the same challenge.

Gills striker Kelman and Fleetwood’s Paddy Lane were shown straight red cards by referee James Linington after the pair went in fully committed to win a loose ball. Lane came off worse but Harris felt, on initial viewing, that his man did no wrong. It was a situation Harris had never come across before, with two players sent off for a single challenge.

Harris said: “I have to always be careful with what I say, because James Linington is a very good official in my opinion, and I don’t want to be too harsh on him, he did okay in the game.

“I have had the fortunate opportunity to see it in full speed during the game, and seen it from two different angles back (on video replay), unless there is more footage to show me that Charlie Kelman is out of control in a tackle, I don’t think it is a red card.

“We hope Paddy Lane is okay, first and foremost, hope the injury isn’t too severe, but it is two-footed off the floor. I can see why it is a red card (for him).

“Myself and Stephen Crainey (the Fleetwood manager) are two football men and had it been two yellow cards everyone shakes hands and we move on. The referee makes a decision and I have never seen it before in the history of the game that I have been involved in, as a kid, player or manager, two red cards for challenges, quite bizarre really.

“I am disappointed because we now lose Charlie Kelman for the last two fixtures, my gut feeling is we will appeal, from the footage I have seen we will appeal it and have very good grounds.”

Mr Linington showed a red card to Lane while he was still on the ground getting treatment - he was