Stockport boss Dave Challinor was furious with the officials for a “ludicrous” decision that cost his side a goal during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Northampton.
The struggling Cobblers took the lead at Sixfields when they were awarded a contentious 31st-minute free-kick from which Terry Taylor’s deflected effort deceived goalkeeper Corey Addai.
Promotion-chasing Stockport were far from their best throughout but a late rally almost saw them turn things around as Benony Andresson levelled before Lewis Bate and Oliver Norwood missed chances to win it.
“Our performance wasn’t great, let’s start with that first and foremost,” said Challinor. “Did we do enough to earn a point? I think so.
“That might not be on the basis that we deserved to score but we definitely didn’t deserve to concede because the decision that was made for their free-kick was totally wrong.
“It put us behind in the game and that was always going to make it tough for us. The worry is that the ref thinks their player has headed the ball and then Brad (Hills) has headed him, which is completely wrong.
“Brad’s headed the ball and their lad has headed him. Sometimes you can be too close but his linesman isn’t too close and the fourth official isn’t too close.
“The fourth official told me he agrees with me but he can’t overrule and I think that’s absolutely ludicrous. It’s pointless having a fourth official if that’s going to be the case. What’s the point of him standing between the benches?
“It’s a really big call that he’s got tragically wrong and I’ll go to speak to him now but he’s got nowhere to go with it.”
Northampton boss Kevin Nolan was a happy man after his side moved five points clear of the bottom four.
“I’m delighted,” he said. “You’ve got to respect the point, as I said on Saturday, but I am a bit disappointed for the lads because their goal came out of nowhere really.
“But that’s what they possess. They’ve spent big money in this league and they can bring on that quality. For any team to win seven out of nine is no mean feat but I thought we more than matched them.
“They had their spell after the goal but the lads really dug in. They got a lift from the goal and our lads and the crowd got a bit anxious but I thought the boys recovered realy well and Lee Burge has pulled off some fantastic saves.
“Everyone worked really hard all over the pitch and the out of possession stuff was really good. We’re always disappointed not to win after going 1-0 up but I think a draw overall was probably fair and I’m really happy with what I’ve seen tonight. It’s a massive point for us.”
