Gillingham’s manager John Coleman was nursing a head injury during much of Saturday’s game after a bizarre incident.
While covering his eyes from the spring sunshine at Priestfield, Coleman couldn’t duck quick enough from a stray ball kicked out of play by Jimmy-Jay Morgan. It led to a gash in his forehead which required medical treatment.
More: Manager’s reaction as Gillingham defy the odds
The Gills physio and other staff patched him up with a plaster so that he could return to the touchline. Gillingham won the game 1-0.
Coleman explained how he ended up with such a cut.
He said: “I was covering my eyes. I did bring my sunglasses and I thought, ‘You’re setting yourself up for a fall aren’t you?’ You get beaten, you’re wearing sunglasses, thinking you’ve just walked out of Hollywood!
“I’ve not got the face or the figure for Hollywood but you’re setting yourself up for a fall aren’t you? I thought, I’ll have to go without.
“As I’m doing that (covering his eyes), the ball’s smashed me in the hands and I’ve gouged myself with my thumbnail.
“I might have to wear a plaster every week!”
The injury didn’t stop the manager kicking every ball in the match as the Gills overcame a Bradford City side who would have gone top of the table with a win.
Conor Masterson scored the only goal of the game as Gills took the points.
