Lawrence was booked for giving away a penalty against Morecambe

Gillingham defender Matt Lawrence has admitted he handled the ball against Morecambe on Saturday but questioned the decision to award a penalty kick.

The visitors converted their spot kick on 21 minutes and needed a late goal from Cody McDonald to rescue a point.

Lawrence, 36, told BBC Radio Kent: "The ball hit my hand but it's how you interpret the laws.

"It wasn't intentional and certainly wasn't a booking. I didn't even know where the ball was."

He added: "My hand was the other side of the centre forward.

"As usual they (the officials) didn't have a reasonable answer - he said I punched the ball which wasn't true. People will see what they want to see."

The point leaves Gillingham in the final play-off place in League Two and Lawrence admitted their chances of gaining automatic promotion are over.

"I didn't think it was viable before the game," he continued.

"We were too reliant on other teams and us winning five out of five. We now have to concentrate on winning three of the last four to get the play-offs."

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