Gillingham boss Steve Evans delivers bold view on Kyle Lafferty's Sunderland double

Gillingham twice came back from a Kyle Lafferty goal to earn a point that keeps their own play-off ambitions just about alive.

Evans felt a throw in should have been given to his side in the build-up to the opener, and said that Lafferty was offside as ran on to George Dobson’s pass to put Sunderland in front again.

He did also admit, however, that he was frustrated with the way his side had gifted the Black Cats that opportunity, with Alfie Jones dispossesed in midfield.

“I think I'm disappointed we've drawn,” Evans said.

“As a neutral, you might consider that they had dominant spells, our spell came after we equalised.

“We're disappointed we don't go in front then.

“There's real question marks over their first two goals.

“The first is a clear throw in to us that goes the other way, which is really disappointing.

“The second goal, I love Big Laffs to bits, I tried to sign him for Leeds, but he's a yard offside.

“It's as simple as that.

“We showed good character, I thought the atmosphere was terrific.

“We have to put it in a compartment to just say we've drawn with Sunderland, we've beaten them twice this season, but we do have that tinge of disappointment.”

Evans praised his side’s defensive display, and felt on the balance of play they could have won the contest.

Jon McLaughlin made some excellent stops at 1-1 from Brandon Hanlan and Jack Tucker.

“Denver Hume is a very good player, Gooch creates the opportunity for him to overlap,” he said.

“It's a very good and effective system but I can only remember them missing two real chances.

“Chris Maguire has a shot in the first half and then Kyle misses one he should score in the second half.

“You have to defend here, but I don't remember too many good saves and I remember Jon McLaughlin making two outstanding ones.”