Gillingham midfielder, Josh Wright, completed the rare event of a hatrick of penalties –  Gillingham’s first League hatrick since Jo Kuffour in 2011 – to cap a remarkable comeback in the 3-2 win over promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United.

Wright, who is now the Gills’ leading scorer with 12 this season, including 9 in his last 11 games, stepped up in the 77th, 82nd and 86th minutes to turn the match on its head, but in the process of celebrating his third goal, was pushed towards the crowd by his teammates, costing the midfielder his 10th booking and a suspension for the next two matches.

The Gills’ hero explained “I was a little bit angry at the end as I’m now suspended. I could understand if I’d jumped into the crowd, or taken my shirt off – we all know the rules – but I didn’t.”

“I stayed this side of the boards and got pushed by the players. When you’ve scored a hatrick to win a game like that, how can you not celebrate?”

“The gaffer had spoken to me about it, as we knew I was on a tightrope, and said if I was to get booked to make sure it was a booking worth getting.”

“I’m not the type of person to pull out of a tackle or something that would help the team, but I feel I’ve been playing with an older, more experienced head and to get a card like that is gutting.”

“I love playing football games, especially in the form I’ve been in, and to miss the next two games puts a bit of a downer on it.”

Wright admitted that the turnaround in the game was unexpected, but that they had hoped one goal might change the game.

He said “when the second penalty went in I thought the best we would get was a draw, but credit to the boys, we dug in and everyone (even Cody) was using their voice out there.”

“We thought if we could get one they might panic, we’ve been there, but the penalties have come so quick to one another. That was key. If they are spaced out you have time to think about them, but within 9 minutes, it’s different.”

“I changed the way I was going with the first one, and I was a little more nervous with the second one than the third, and debated letting someone else take it.”

“But I am very strong-minded, and once I scored the second, there was no way I was going to let someone else have the third.”

“I made my mind up where to go, and think the keeper went early. I was delighted to see them hit the back of the net and with the hatrick, and it was amazing to see the crowd at the Rainham End. They were fantastic today.”

“The feeling is the same as at Bury last week. We’ve got the win that shows our character, although it wasn’t the greatest of games but the most important thing was the three points.”

The penalty that Josh Wright took against Southend two weeks ago was the first time he’d taken on the responsibility in his Gillingham career, but he feels comfortable in the role.

He added “We’ve never really said much about who would take penalties. The boys are professional enough to know I scored that last one, so no-one tried to take it off me.”

“Dacky (Bradley Dack) won that first penalty today, but said it was mine straight away and just wished me good luck; that’s what a proper pro does. The boys just seemed to relax knowing I would step up and take the responsibility and I’m sure they are happy for me.”

“It’s such a psychological thing in that moment, so I just picture the ball hitting the back of the net. You try not to think about the situation, the stadium, or everything else that tries to go through your head, and that’s why I believe I’m capable of taking them.”

“I was delighted to see all three hit the back of the net. I’m thriving at the moment in this new role, I’m enjoying scoring goals – there’s no real feeling like it, especially when it wins a game in front of your home crowd – and long may it continue.”