Underwood ‘disappointed’ to see his side share the spoils with Tonbridge

Having worked so hard to get themselves in front in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tonbridge Angels at Arbour

Park, joint manager Jon Underwood (right) was disappointed to relinquish all that effort in just a few minutes following a questionable penalty decision by the referee.

Elliot Benyon had dived full length to head home George Wells’ cross in the 57th minute, and the advantage was well merited on the balance of play. However, the lead was held for just seven minutes when the visitors’ levelled matters from the penalty spot after Aaron Kuhl was adjudged by Stephen Parkinson to have fouled Joseph Turner on the edge of the box.

Turner dusted himself down to stick away the penalty, but in Underwood’s eyes the penalty was a soft one.

And when Kuhl’s replacement Fabio Sole went down after a very similar challenge just a few minutes later we and the referee waved away Slough’s appeals - the Rebels’ hopes of victory began to melt away in the sweltering heat of the day.

Reflecting on the game, Underwood said: “We had to work really hard to get ourselves in front and we did that through playing controlled football.

“We kept the ball well and made them work for it in the heat. I thought did it reasonably well. They were brave on the ball and did everything we asked of them.

“We didn’t create loads of clear-cut chances, but it was a brilliant goal that we scored. Having worked so hard to get in front, we needed to have a 10minute spell of controlling the game, but their equaliser came just five or six minutes later. That was disappointing, and it gave them a lift. They're all disappointed because they felt the three points were there for us today.”

He added: “Both teams were well organised and hard to break down. It was hard to put that tempo into the game today (in the heat).

“It was hard work just watching let alone playing. But we must take the positives. You don’t want it to go too long in the season without getting a win on the board though.”

On the referee’s decision to award Tonbridge a spot-kick, but not level up the score by giving Slough one a few minutes later, Underwood added: “I think both incidents were similar.

“Kuhly insists he got his toe to the ball, and what’s frustrating is that the referee is telling some players he gave it for a push in the back and others that it was for Kuhly’s tackle.

“I probably shouldn't look at it like this, but when refs give one like that and then there's a very similar one for the other team, it’s the easiest thing in the world to even things up. It’s almost harder not to give that penalty than it was to give it.”

Underwood was also impressed by substitute Fabio Sole’s contribution after replacing Kuhl in the second half, saying the midfielder had showed good energy, and ‘made things happen’ for the Rebels.

Following this result, Slough Town were beaten 2-0 by Chelmsford City at Arbour Park on Tuesday night.