'Brilliant' - Crawley Town boss can't wait to watch Gillingham game back despite penalty controversy

With the match broadcast on Sky Sports on Saturday evening, the two sides put on a show in a match laden with goals and controversy.

Bradley Dack opened the scoring for the hosts on the stroke of half-time from a well-worked corner routine. But the Reds responded with a corner of their own as Geraldo Bajrami headed in and levelled the score after 52 minutes.

Just two minutes later, the referee pointed to the spot after an alleged handball from Crawley’s Charlie Barker. However, replays showed Barker’s arm to be in a natural position as he slid to block a shot. Robbie McKenzie coolly converted to restore the Gill’s advantage.

The Reds showed great character to battle back again and were rewarded in the 82nd minute when Kabongo Tshimanga finished off a brilliantly worked team move to secure a point for the visitors.

“I thought it was a brilliant game of football,” Lindsey said. “I can’t wait to watch it back to be honest with you.

“I thought we probably deserved a little bit more than just a point, but not to be. I thought we were excellent. I thought we created a lot, played well.”

The officials were once again under the spotlight in a Crawley game, with Lindsey expressing his disappointment at the penalty decision and the lead-up Gillingham’s first goal.

“Just disappointing with the decisions against us again. I felt that their first goal there was a clear foul. I thought Andrews ran straight into Bajrami, not looking at the ball – it's a foul.

“Obviously they end up with a corner which they score from. And then obviously the penalty – it's not a penalty, in my opinion. It’s not handball. But Gillingham have historically had more penalties for them than any other club so no shock there.

“I suppose I’m gonna have another call with Michael Jones (Head of Refereeing at the EFL) tomorrow. I was actually pleased when I saw the referee, who he was, because he’s normally really good.

“And, in general, he probably reffed the game okay. But I thought there were two big decisions that I was disappointed with.”

Aside from refereeing controversy, the boss was pleased with how the Reds acquitted themselves considering his own selection headaches.

“The players were outstanding today – every one of them. We’ve got a lot missing as well – I think I counted on the board yesterday nine missing from usual players. I think it’s six injuries, two away on international duty and obviously one suspension,” said Lindsey.

“I’ve had to think and work really hard to make sure that I pick the right team and I was really pleased with what I saw on Thursday and Friday in training. I thought we attacked the game brilliantly and I thought the attitude of the players was spot on today.”

Special praise was given to the Reds’ first goalscorer Bajrami, with Lindsey describing him as ‘ridiculous’.

He said: “Wow, how good was he today? So good coming out with the ball. I mean, how many times did he run through the middle of the pitch, get to the edge of the box? He was just so good today.

“He looked like a proper player today. Not that he hasn’t looked like a proper player before, but he was unbelievable today. So really pleased for him.”

The boss was extremely complimentary of the travelling fans that made the trip to Kent at the later kick-off time of 5:30pm.

Lindsey said: “Wow, they were amazing the fans weren’t they? They were louder than the Gillingham fans for sure. I thought they were brilliant today.

“I loved coming out to see them before the game and then, of course, disappointed we didn’t give them more than just a point. But they were brilliant at the end there, they’re class. I love them.”

Crawley took full advantage of playing in front of the Sky cameras and Lindsey was proud his side “showed the world what we are.”

“I always think we play well when we’re live on Sky. I felt we did that again today. It’s important we do that because I do want to show the world what we are.

“We’re little old Crawley. We’re a small club. We haven’t got loads of money.

“We’ve got a brilliant owner, brilliant staff and we’ve got brilliant players and amazing fans. And we play an unbelievable brand of football and I think it’s important we show that.”

Lindsey’s attention will now turn to next Saturday where Crawley will hope to continue their strong recent home form against Accrington Stanley at Broadfield Stadium.