GRANTHAM TOWN 2
HOLBEACH UNITED 1
Holbeach United were left to rue a harsh red card and a “pathetic” penalty decision as their fine Emirates FA Cup run ended with a 2-1 defeat at Grantham Town on Saturday.
All of the goals came in the first half at The Meeres, with Lee Shaw (23) and Andrew Wright (pen 45) netting for Grantham either side of a Lewis Leckie penalty on 36 minutes.
But that only tells half of the story. Holbeach saw youngster Dan Dougill sent off for an elbow just past the 30 minute mark and boss Seb Hayes felt the penalty decision given against skipper Nick Jackson was “the worst he’s conceded as a manager”.
Leckie also missed gilt-edged chances while the score was 0-0 and 2-1, while strike partner Will Bird had two decent openings in the second period.
Hayes criticised the performance of referee Alistair Wilson, feeling his side were “up against 12 men” was and left to rue what might have been, but was immensely proud of his side.
“It’s one of those where I’m angry, but also happy,” said the Tigers boss. “In hindsight, you look back and wonder what we’d have done with 11 men for 90 minutes.
“I can tell you now, it would have at least been a draw.
“I don’t care what Grantham or anybody else wants to say, we were as fit as them and as well organised as them, if not more so.
“We outworked them and our gameplan worked to a tee. Where we fell down was gamesmanship – if we’d been more horrible and in the referees’ face like they were, things would have been different.
“Make no mistake, they were panicking at the end. The fans and management were calling for the final whistle. It’s funny, because for 65 minutes it was ten men against 12. The referee gave us nothing at all.
“You often hear smaller sides complaining about getting no decisions at the big grounds at the highest level of football. This was the non-league equivalent.
“If you’ve played football and know football, you know that there was no malice in Dan Dougill’s elbow. By the letter of the law, I can see how the referee has sent him off.
“But he wouldn’t have done that if three of their players hadn’t been in his face demanding a red card.
“They also received what I believe is the softest penalty I’ve conceded as a manager. I was angry with Nick (Jackson) for giving their player the chance to dive over his leg, but it was such a pathetic decision.
“It’s so frustrating, as we should have come away with at least a replay. The lads were absolutely fantastic – and to keep a clean sheet in the second half is superb.
“The energy we showed and the performance was incredible, as well as the spirit in the camp.
“But to say we have great spirit takes away from the performance, we were better than that and it speaks volumes about where we are as a team.
“We’ll use this frustration moving forward, but I’m so, so proud of my team.”
To make matters worse for Holbeach, striker Charley Sanders was sent off after the final whistle for allegedly refusing to shake the referees’ hand.
Holbeach visit Deeping Rangers on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Tigers: Drury, Griffiths, Tinkler (Smith 46), Braithwaite, Jackson, Zuerner (Keeble 86), Warfield, Dougill, Sanders, Leckie (Harker 89), Bird.
Attendance: 302.
