Free-kick angers Stones
Jay Saunders said the free-kick for Rochdale’s late equaliser should not have been given as Maidstone missed out on an FA Cup upset. The teams meet again at Spotland on Tuesday after Bobby-Joe Taylor’s penalty was cancelled out by Callum Camps with the last kick of the match. Kevin Lokko, the man penalised, was then sent off by referee Charles Breakspear as he continued his protests at the final whistle. Fifty-seven places separated National League Maidstone and League 1 promotion chasers Rochdale, with Stones seconds away from the upset of the round on Sunday. Stones boss Saunders said: “It’s not a free-kick. To be honest, I thought the ref lost it for the last 10-15 minutes. “Every 50-50 he went their way but that’s football, we move on. “It feels like a loss but it’s gutting when you’re that close to beating a League 1 side – and I thought we deserved to beat them. “They’re a good side, a full-time side, we train two nights a week and we’ve given them a good game. “If they didn’t know we’re a halfdecent side, they’ll know now and I’m sure they’ll show us a lot of respect when we go up there.” As for Lokko’s dismissal, for a second yellow card, Saunders said: “Kev’s one of those lads, I don’t think I’ve ever heard him swear so I’ll be amazed if it’s for backchat.” Rochdale boss Keith Hill praised United’s organisation, warning his players the tie isn’t over. Naturally, Saunders fears United may have missed their chance to go through but he was proud of the performance. “I do take a lot of pride,” added Saunders. “It’s a shame we couldn’t get the second goal because we had a few chances. “Jamar Loza’s had a couple, Bobby-Joe Taylor’s had a good chance, Liam Enver-Marum’s had a great chance, so it’s not like we scored one and defended for 90 minutes. “Everything we’ve asked them to do, they’ve done. We knew Rochdale would have spells where they’d have possession – like I say, they’re a League 1 side – but we’ve dealt with everything. “But I do feel sometimes you get one crack at it and maybe that was ours. “The disappointing thing is if you lose the game because they’ve scored three or four goals and they’re much better, then you hold your hands up. “But when a decision’s kind of cost you, that’s when it’s a blow because the money would have been good for the club.”