GILLINGHAM star Josh Walker has been stretchered off after being on the end of a horror tackle just a minute after coming on as a 21st minute substitute against Barrow.
Walker, 26, had replaced George Lapslie only moments earlier before being hacked down by a late, high challenge by George Ray.
iFollowGeorge Ray went in high on Josh Walker[/caption]
iFollowWalker was left crumpled in a heap[/caption]
Barrow defender Ray, 30, was immediately shown a straight red card by referee Dean Whitestone.
Walker was eventually taken off on a stretcher following eight minutes of treatment and replaced by Oliver Hawkins.
Gills fans were left disgusted by Ray’s tackle.
One wrote on social media: “A definite red card!! That’s a horrendous tackle. We hope Josh Walker, who is currently receiving treatment, makes a speedy recovery.”
While a second fumed: “Absolutely a red card all day. Glad the ref didn’t bottle it as so many have this season.”
A third tweeted: “This is a stone wall red card with no subjectivity involved. Speed, distance, studs to the upper body.”
And a fourth added: “Awful still on the ground players looked really concerned for him.”
The incident occurred with the score level at 0-0.
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Both teams remain in League Two play-off contention, with Gills going into the game looking to narrow the gap on Barrow to four points.
Gillingham took the lead on the stroke of half-time via Josh Andrews.
Three minutes into stoppage time, the forward brilliantly rounded Barrow keeper Paul Farman before providing a cool finish.
The ten-man visitors came close to levelling a few minutes later, but no one could quite get on the end of Elliot Newby’s teasing cross.
Former Fulham youngster Walker is on loan at Gills from Burton.
Prior to today’s brief cameo he had appeared 13 times for his loan club, scoring once.
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