A dejected Karl Robinson lamented a “blatant and horrific” refereeing decision not to award a penalty as Salford missed out on automatic promotion in their 0-0 draw at Crawley.
Robinson was left cursing his luck as Salford twice hit the bar and had a controversial penalty decision turned down when a win in West Sussex would have seen his side promoted to League One.
He took solace from Salford’s finish in the play-off places, a year after his side agonisingly missed out on a top-seven finish on the final day.
While referee Lee Swabey will be branded as the culprit who cost Salford City promotion after seven seasons stuck in the fourth tier, Robinson admitted that his side should have been more clinical.
“I guarantee if you look at Sky Sports app, you’re going to see the worst penalty not given for a long time,” he said. “The one the referee has chose not to give is horrific.
“That’s four penalties in and by the you can be in whatever level of football in the EFL, that is as blatant as you’re going to get.”
The travelling fans, a picture of colour dressed as bananas, pirates and carrots behind the goal watched through their fingers as Matt Butcher cannoned a volley off the crossbar, referee Adebola Oluwo had a header heroically pushed onto the bar by Crawley goalkeeper Jacob Chapman as Salford desperately tried to find a breakthrough.
Robinson said that Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the body responsible for refereeing, “has a lot to answer for” and added that “we spend money on players, our fans spend money, they’ve come all the way from Salford to support their team and that penalty is horrific.”
Salford’s draw meant Cambridge, who drew 0-0 with Crewe were promoted in third place. Robinson disputed that the U’s draw made Salford’s more of a bitter pill to swallow, instead hailing the club’s play-off finish.
“We’re in the playoffs, which is an amazing achievement,” he said.
He heaped praise on his players for achieving the highest finish in the club’s history and their recording a highest-ever points total at this level, 81.
“I’m proud of my players. I know they’ve given me everything today and they always do. In the play-offs, we will hope for a better refereeing performance and a positive results.”
Salford will travel to Grimsby on Sunday, 10 May for the play-off semi-final (3pm kick-off) before welcoming the Mariners to the Peninsula Stadium for the reverse fixture on Friday May 15, (7.15 kick-off).
