Poole Town’s Kevin Gill claims he was confronted post-match by Paulton Rovers midfielder Adam Mahdi and invited to “finish off” their on-pitch spat.

Mahdi was sent off after lashing out at Gill following a clash between the pair towards the end of a stormy Southern League encounter in Bristol on Saturday.

Gill last night alleged Mahdi had been “waiting for me outside the clubhouse”, an accusation strenuously denied by Paulton Rovers manager Mark Harrington.

Poole substitute Steve Smith was also red carded as goals from Michael Walker and Steve Devlin earned the Dolphins a 2-1 win over their Division One South & West promotion rivals.

Gill told the Daily Echo: “During the game, we ran into each other and then, before I knew it, he had decided to hit me. I’ve got a massive lump on the side of my head and I definitely felt him hit my chin as well. I felt other punches but don’t know whether it was him or people who were trying to grab him.

“The atmosphere was a bit tense afterwards and he was waiting for me outside the clubhouse. He seemed really angry and said ‘let’s finish it now’. I didn’t say anything, I just kept walking.”

Gill, who said he had no plans to pursue the matter, added: “I am not a violent person. I don’t get sent off every week. The referee had no reason to send me off because I didn’t do anything.”

When contacted for a response, Rovers boss Harrington said former Bristol Rovers trainee Mahdi would be unavailable for comment as he was out of the country for a few days.

Harrington, however, speaking on behalf of the player, said: “Adam was elbowed off the ball by Kevin Gill. It wasn’t a collision. The linesman on our side of the pitch saw it and, after the game, Poole Town players were apologising.

“If someone came up to you in the street and elbowed you, I’m sure you would go to the police. What he did was cowardly. I don’t condone Adam’s reaction in any way, shape or form but he was provoked.”

Harrington, who said his players were not permitted to leave the ground before 6pm after home games, added: “Adam was waiting just inside the door of the clubhouse when I got there and his first words to me were ‘Harry, is it okay if I leave now? I said ‘Adam, I think the best thing you can do is to get away now to cool down the whole situation’. He was driving two other people home and they went with him.”