RICHIE Wellens described referee Michael Salisbury’s decision to award Gillingham a last-gasp penalty as “a joke”.

Athletic were 1-0 up and had looked like sealing victory when the official controversially pointed to the spot in the 90th minute following the sending off of Wilfried Moimbe for violent conduct.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Latics boss said: “It’s a joke of a decision. Wilfried has been fouled first, then spun around. He reacted by throwing a punch but surely the foul on Wilfried comes first.

“Fair enough, it’s a sending off, but to give a penalty is a joke – the foul was on our player.

“I think the referee has made a decision having not seen the first couple of incidents. He’s taken his eye off the ball, looked at the man and then sees Wilfried throw a punch.”

Wellens felt, on the balance of play, 1-1 was an unjust result and described the leveller as a sickening blow after the draw left Latics only a point clear of the relegation places with Rochdale – the side directly below them in 21st – to play at Spotland on Tuesday.

“We didn’t deserve that,” he added.

“I thought we were comfortable for most of the second half. We could have maybe got a second goal to kill it off but it’s a shocking decision that’s cost us.

“In the first half we were very sloppy and didn’t pick up enough second balls. We were too deep but still created five or six really good chances and got ourselves in front.

“Let’s not beat about the bush – it’s a big blow. When you’re comfortable going into the 90th minute and all of a sudden you have a man sent off and a penalty given against you, it’s a sickening blow.

“But one of the biggest disappointments was to see two or three players just walking around after their equaliser – there’s nothing we can do about it and there’s seven minutes of added time to play.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up now because we’ve got a massive game on Tuesday.”

Wellens praised the performance of goalscorer Duckens Nazon who followed up Wednesday night’s strike against Walsall with another cool finish - his fourth of the season since joining on loan from Wolves.

He said: “I thought Duckens Nazon was really good today – a threat all game. We made a little change after about 20 minutes, instead of him playing up front with Eoin Doyle, we put him on the right because I didn’t think he was picking up enough second balls and dropped Jack Byrne into the number ten position. He was really powerful from there.”

All thoughts turn to Tuesday now for what promises to be a firecracker of a local derby. Athletic then visit AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

“If we win on Tuesday, this will be a decent point,” said Wellens.

“But it should have been three – there’s no doubt about it.

“When you take a hit like this you can either let it really affect you or look each other in the eye, kick on and come together to get the three points on Tuesday.

“We’ve have no option other than to fight.”