Yeovil boss Russell Slade defended his side's disciplinary record after Stephen Maher's horror challenge saw him sent-off on his league debut.The 19-year-old substitute was sent for an early bath after being on the pitch just three minutes after a two-footed lung on Gillingham defender Simon King. But Slade, whose side have won just one game in their last 12, says the tackle was totally out of character.

"We don't have a reputation for bullying tactics," he said. "It's not something we ever set out to do and obviously I don't condone two-footed tackles. But to be honest I'd have to look at it again on the video before making up our own minds about what to do next.

"I thought we had to battle hard to go home with a point because it got a bit hairy in the last 10 to 15 minutes when we were down to 10 men.

Slade also criticised the Priestfield playing surface, adding: "I have to say we looked a more composed side on a really difficult surface and I'm pleased with the point.

"I think Gillingham wanted the pitch to be like that because they didn't water it at all. It made it very hard to play football on."

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