Karl Robinson claims way referee spoke to him after Salford defeat ‘a disgrace’

Karl Robinson claimed the way he was spoken to by referee Alan Young after Salford’s 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon was “a disgrace”.

The first half ended goalless with the best chance falling to Josh Neufville, but his curling effort produced an acrobatic save from Salford goalkeeper Jamie Jones.

Matty Stevens scored his 16th goal of the season after half-time to keep all three points in London.

However, Robinson believes that the home side’s goal should have been disallowed for a foul on Jon Taylor in the build-up, adding that the referee’s decisions were inconsistent throughout the match.

“I thought it was two very good teams, and one mistake from us and the referee led to a goal,” he said.

“When I come and speak to you my decision of the referee is based on the consistency of his decisions.

“If he thinks that that is not a foul all game I can’t ask for that being a foul, but he has given multiple fouls [like that].

“He gave one in the corner, I think Marcus Browne leant on someone and he gave a free-kick to us.

“There is no way if he can give a free-kick for that, that he can’t give a free-kick for the other one.

“It was a silly error, but it was also a silly error from the referee.

“The way he spoke to me at the end was a disgrace as well, I didn’t swear, I spoke to him very calmly and said I will come and see you.

“He said ‘please don’t come if it is over the goal because it is miles off, it is not a free-kick’.

“Excuse me, I am allowed to have a conversation with you.”

The result sent the Dons second in the table ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.

Johnnie Jackson praised AFC Wimbledon’s match-winner Stevens after he added to his League Two goals tally for the season.

“It’s a great win because they’re a good side,” he said.

“It was a really tight game, wasn’t it, it was very close, I thought it would be and I thought it would be decided by fine margins.

“I hope so [that Stevens can keep playing well] because that means he is going to score more goals which will hopefully help us win games which will put us right up there.

“Listen, what he has done so far there is no reason why he can’t be in that shake-up [to finish as League Two’s top scorer].

“We just need him to keep doing what he is doing.

“He doesn’t need to put any more pressure on himself target-wise, he just needs to do what he is doing because when he gets opportunities he is taking them.

“Big week, two home games that we looked at as an opportunity because they were against teams in and around us.

“Not only do we get three points if we win, but we create a bit of distance between us and them, which we have done today.”