ASPIN IN REF RANT AS HEED HIT BACK

GATESHEAD boss Neil Aspin described Theo Vassell’s first half sending off as “the worst refereeing decision he has seen in his career’ as his side defied the odds to pick up a valiant point at in-form Maidstone United.

Vassell was shown his marching orders by referee Sam Purkiss after being adjudged to have tripped Zavon Hines in the box after 11 minutes.

Hines picked himself up and slotted home the penalty, but the Stones failed to build on that until Alex Wynter found the back of the net midway through the second half with a fierce effort from inside the box.

Aspin’s side showed plenty of character, though, and Richard Peniket reduced the arrears when he beat goalkeeper Lee Worgan to the ball and slotted into an empty net, before Danny Johnson popped up 10 minutes from time to capitalise on a defensive mix-up and seal a well-deserved point for the visitors.

And the Heed boss bemoaned Purkiss’ early decision to dismiss Vassell, although believed it galvanised his charges.

“Certainly today was a point won,” said Aspin. “I am really pleased with the attitude of all the players and the subs. They showed great desire to keep going. I have been in football 32 years and that is the worst sending off I have seen in my career.

“Maidstone came out the blocks sharper than us and against 11 men they were on the front foot causing us problems and if anything, the sending off seemed to galvanise us.”

However, Stones boss Jay Saunders bemoaned his side’s sloppy defending as they failed to make the most of the numerical advantage.

“The defending was a shambles. I felt in all honesty we were better against 11 men and I thought we were excellent in those 10-15 minutes,” said Saunders.

“Full credit goes to Gateshead who kept going and were excellent, but you cannot defend like that for both goals. Being 2-0 up against 10 men you have to manage it better, but we panicked.”