GILLINGHAM boss Steve Evans says his side “could have been seven or eight up” in their 2-2 draw with Wanderers.

The Gills led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from John Akinde and Kyle Dempsey, but the Whites pulled one back through Dapo Afolayan with five minutes to go.

And Kieran Lee scored a dramatic equaliser in injury time to rescue a point and end a run of three successive defeats.

Evans was frustrated to see his side give up a commanding lead but admits their preparation for the game wasn’t ideal.

“After 70 minutes, we could have been seven or eight up,” he said. “We have a brilliant striker (Vadaine Oliver) who misses the easiest three chances he will have in the season.

“He is one of the best in the league but it was unacceptable quality of finishing. But he is an honest kid and said he cost us rather than people switching off near the end.

“If you don’t get a third goal, Bolton can throw caution to the wind. You always worry with a goal late in the game, the crowd will get behind their team – and they are brilliant here.

“And Kieran Lee did what Kieran Lee does – make late runs into the box.

“In the last 15 minutes we looked scrappy and tired. I am not defending the players but a nine-and-a-half-hour journey from Kent on Friday night was excessive. It was a difficult preparation.”

The result leaves the Gills 19th in the league table after 15 matches, while Wanderers sit in 12th place.