Crawley boss Lindsey says police investigating incident

Scott Lindsey said police were investigating after Crawley midfielder Ronan Darcy appeared to be hit in the face by Gillingham assistant David Livermore after the end of the match at the Broadfield Stadium.

Livermore, Crawley keeper Corey Addai and Darcy were shown yellow cards by referee Ed Duckworth after the game, which the Gills won 1-0.

When asked to comment about a Crawley player being struck, boss Lindsey said: “I didn’t see it myself but I understand police are investigating.”

Gillingham manager Neil Harris also said he didn’t see the incident but felt it was a case of “handbags”.

An own goal by Crawley defender Harry Ransom five minutes before the break proved the only goal and it continued the Gills’ perfect start to the Sky Bet League Two campaign.

They have now won all four games 1-0 and remain top of league two having not lost to Crawley for nearly 10 years.

The Gills are desperate to make up for their lowest finish in 28 years last season, but Harris thought they were well below their best.

He said: “I thought we were very poor and maybe got something we didn’t deserve.

“I’m trying to manage expectations here but the players won’t let me because they just keep going.”

Lindsey admitted he was desperately disappointed to lose as he felt his men deserved “at least a point”.

Lindsey congratulated his players afterwards as he was “proud” of what they have achieved in such a short space of time.

Crawley wasted a great chance to take an early lead when captain Dom Telford had a penalty saved by Jake Turner, and Lindsey said: “We should have scored for sure but I felt we had enough fuel in the tank to go on and win the game.

“Now I will be seeing how my team will react from a loss. I’m proud of how far we have come.”