Coleman furious with ‘unforgivable’ referee call at Peterborough

Posted Thursday, October 24, 2019 by PA

Accrington boss John Coleman lashed out at referee Sam Purkiss after his side’s 4-0 defeat at Peterborough.

Second-half goals from Marcus Maddison, Ivan Toney, Frankie Kent and Siriki Dembele sent Posh to the top of Sky Bet League One, but Coleman was fuming after striker Offrande Zanzala’s follow-up header was ruled out for handball after Peterborough goalkeeper Christy Pym had tipped Sean McConville’s free-kick onto the bar.

Coleman also criticised Purkiss’ response after defender Joe Maguire was struck on the head by a fierce Louis Reed shot – leading to a nine-minute stoppage – although replays showed the referee had stopped play straight away.

Maguire was taken to hospital for a concussion check.

An angry Coleman said: “I did not think it was a 4-0. The score certainly flattered Peterborough.

“They are a good side but they were not four goals better than us. We were comfortably the better side in the first half and scored a perfectly good goal. When did your shoulders become your hands?

“If it had hit him on the hand it could not have generated that much pace.

“It’s unforgivable to make a mistake of that magnitude. The first goal was going to be critical.

“We only have ourselves to blame for their opener. We left two on two at the back. If Peterborough do not score the first goal they don’t score at all.

“We have to go again on Saturday against Gillingham and not feel sorry for ourselves. We have to learn from our mistake which cost us three goals, but the performance we put in the first half tonight will beat anybody.”

Posh’s 56th-minute opener came from an Accrington corner, with Louis Reed playing in Maddison to dink the ball over goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov.

Thirteen minutes later Toney headed in George Boyd’s cross for his 11th of the season before defender Kent headed in Joe Ward’s corner at the near post in the 85th minute.

Dembele struck five minutes into stoppage time, rounding Evtimov after being played in by Toney.

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson said: “I was a little bit frustrated in the first half. It was a little bit stop-start and our passing was not the quality we wanted.

“Tonight was one of those games we really did need a win. These are the most important wins – more than your Sunderlands and MK Dons.

“The expectation was all on us against a dangerous opponent. They had the better chances in the first half, but in the second half we were better and the first goal was very important.

“Our video analyst (for the disallowed goal) said (Zanzala) handled it. If he has headed it in it’s a turning point. I do think 4-0 flattered us but we’ll take it. We are finding ways of winning games and I’m delighted with the mentality.

“Top of the league is good but it’s about points for me. After Saturday it’s a third of the season down, and if we win we will have 30 points.”