DINO SORE AT OFFICIAL ‘THREATS’
STEVENAGE manager Dino Maamria accused officials of “threatening” him and “robbing” his team after their stormy draw at Notts County.
Three equalising goals from Ben Kennedy, Alex Revell and Danny Newton saw Boro earn a point at Meadow Lane.
Despite denying County chief Harry Kewell victory in his first home game and keeping them rooted to the bottom of the EFL, Maamria was enraged by the decision-making of ref Ross Joyce.
Maamria was especially aggrieved at the 22nd-minute penalty awarded when Ben Nugent brought down Jon Stead and a foul not given on Ben Kennedy in the lead-up to County’s second.
“With those two decisions you’re just like ‘what is going on’,” Maamria blasted.
“We got robbed. We got absolutely robbed. My players put their bodies on the line. We played brilliant football. What I watched happen wasn’t fair.
“I’ll watch those clips with anyone. Why did all those decisions go against us?
“I spoke to the fourth official after five minutes. He threatened me. They have these red and yellow cards now and they threaten you with them. I was only talking to him. I wasn’t swearing.”
Stevenage also mounted a convincing late shout for a penalty when Luther Wildin was dragged down, but Joyce waved it away.
County survived the scare and claimed their first point since their goalless draw with Colchester United on the opening day of the season.
But while a point after back-toback defeats represents progress, Kewell doesn’t want many more white-knuckle rides if side are to glide towards safety.
“I don’t want too many games like that!” he said.
“We had a plan at the start of the game to get a point, to get confidence back in the team.
“Stevenage play a simple way looking for flick-ons. I’m disappointed we led three times and couldn’t hold out. We’re hurting but it’s a point and something to build on.
“All the players worked hard and it’s just a shame we didn’t get three points.
After Stead converted the penalty he won, Stevenage levelled as Danny Newton’s low cross was turned in by Kennedy. Notts restored their lead when Enzio Boldewijn cut in from the left and bent in his third goal of the season from 20 yards. The Magpies were unable to see it through to half-time though as Revell leapt above debutant Cedric Evina at the far post to loop a header in two minutes later. Kane Hemmings restored the advantage four minutes after the break with a smart finish from Lewis Alessandra’s through ball. County were pegged back yet again after 73 minutes, when Newton issued a left-footed finish from eight yards as he met a noddeddown cross.
NOTTS COUNTY: Fitzsimons 7, Turley 7 (Tootle 45, 6), Ward 7, Brisley 7, Evina 7, Boldewijn 8, Husin 7 (Thomas 79, 6), Milsom 6, Alessandra 6, Stead 8, Hemmings 7 Subs not used: Bird, Vaughan, Dennis, Pindroch, Hawkridge
STEVENAGE: Farman 6, Wildin 6, Cuthbert 6, Nugent 6 (Henry 45, 6), Seddon 6, Ball 6 (Sonupe 62, 6), Byrom 6, Timlin 6, Kennedy 6, Revell 6, Newton 6 Subs not used: Hunt, Ferry, Reid, Dieng, Wilkinson