Armstrong’s official protests as penalty costs his Spartans dear
BLYTH Spartans’ boss Alun Armstrong railed against the match officials following a 1-0 derby defeat against Darlington.
Armstrong described the 90 minutes at a windswept Croft Park as ‘dire’ but felt his side should have taken a point.
A below-par Blyth were undone by a controversial penalty 10 minutes before the break.
Defender Jordan Watson was judged to have impeded Quakers’ midfielder Jordan Nicholson inside the box.
Stephen Thompson stepped up to mark his 250th league start for Darlington with the match winner.
Armstrong said: “The referee gave me three different accounts as to why he gave a spot kick for which no one had appealed.
“It was never a penalty and the decision cost us the game. Some of the decisions from the referee and linesmen were baffling.
“We were poor and looked flat. We were devoid of ideas at times - but the officials cost us today.
“Our decision-making was poor but we have to get our heads up and get back to winning ways next week at Leamington.”
To round of a bad day for Blyth, leftback Michael Liddle picked up a hamstring injury while Watson faces a minor shoulder operation this week.