Karl Robinson critical of referee after 10-man Salford salvage Chesterfield draw

Posted Sunday, August 25, 2024 by PA

Salford boss Karl Robinson was critical of referee Richie Watkins after his side overcame the second-half dismissal of Curtis Tilt to salvage a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield.

James Berry put the hosts ahead in the 69th minute before Salford were reduced to 10 men two minutes later when Tilt was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for dissent and the second following an off-the-ball incident involving Will Grigg.

However, Chesterfield could not put the game to bed and Salford snatched a late equaliser through substitute Kelly N’Mai – the Ammies’ first goal of the season.

Robinson felt his side deserved their point from the game but was far from impressed with the match official.

He said: “I can talk about multiple decisions that he didn’t give today that he gave to the opposition.

“He let silly little things go that led to that melee in the middle of the pitch.

“Then we go to the goal. Woody (Ben Woodburn) played a pass and clearly he gets pushed from behind and it hits their guy on the hand. Clearly, for everyone to see. And then Tilty has a go at the assistant referee and then gets booked.

“And then all Tilty did was step across his man. Will Grigg’s experience has got him the second booking.

“Then, really weirdly when we scored the goal, Chey Dunkley did exactly the same thing and not even a free-kick was given.

“I felt that we denied a team that scored five goals last week to very limited chances in the first half.

“We have to be better in possession. I felt that we had the best three opportunities in the first half, without actually dominating or having any period of sustained pressure in their final third.

“After the first three or four minutes of the second half, we changed the shape a little bit and we seemed to get a little bit closer to them.

“We looked a little bit more aggressive in our press. We kept two up top, even down to 10 men, with a bit of a different shape and probably deserved a draw.”

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook bemoaned his promoted side’s inability to hold onto their lead against a man less.

He said: “Just really disappointing. I feel we should see the game out.

“It’s very much a learning curve. It’s all new to us. The lads are doing really well.

“Once we scored the goal – a fantastic finish from James Berry – we’ve got to see that game out.

“We concede from a corner. Why would you put a corner in the goalie’s hand to give them an attack? We’re winning, we’ve got an extra man and we’re possession-based team. Keep the ball and they can’t score.

“Salford are a good side with some big players in this division, but I thought we controlled the game well in the first half.

“The Salford lads worked hard to get the point so I’m sure they’ll think they deserved it.”