Alexander feels Salford paid penalty for poor decisions at Northampton

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2019 by PA

Salford manager Graham Alexander was furious about two key penalty decisions after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Northampton.

Salford found themselves behind after 34 minutes when Cameron Burgess was adjudged to have fouled Charlie Goode in the penalty box, leaving Sam Hoskins to convert from 12 yards.

Jordan Turnbull finished off a well-worked free-kick in the second half to effectively seal a first victory in five games for Keith Curle’s side.

Alexander was left deeply disappointed with the officiating, though, and not only did he hit out at Northampton’s penalty but he also felt his side should have had a spot-kick late on.

“It’s frustrating because I didn’t think there was anything in the game apart from a couple of decisions that went against us and a set-piece goal that we should have defended better,” he said.

“For me, the penalty he’s given against us is never a penalty. I didn’t think it at the time and I’ve watched it again and the lad’s dived and won the penalty.

“But sometimes these go against you away from home and that was the only difference between the teams and we were under pressure to get back into the game in the second half.

“We tried to be patient but another set-piece goal has hurt us badly and then we should have had a lifeline for the challenge on Luke Armstrong, which is definitely a penalty.

“I’ve seen it again and without a doubt it’s a penalty. If the first one is a penalty, that one is 10 times more a penalty but it’s not given and that’s the story of the game.”

Cobblers boss Curle said: “We’ve had a good week as a footballing department with the conversations and the meetings we’ve had.

“The training, the focus and the application of the players has been very good and the changing room needed that result today.

“In terms of the performance, there’s still more to come and there’s still better to come but I thought the first goal today was important and it was vital to get the second goal.

“Alan McCormack showed his value to us and what we’ve missed and he gave everyone else the confidence of what we’re looking to do.

“I spoke to the players afterwards and the feeling in the changing room has been completely different and it’s one you like compared to recent games but that doesn’t make you a winner.

“We’ve had honest discussions and it’s the levels of training that you give better opportunity of becoming a winner more often and the focus and the mindset now has to be the same going forward.”