Kendal Town’s new manager Craig Dootson endured a nightmare debut in the dug-out as the Mintcakes crashed 7-0 at Runcorn Linnets.
Yet for half an hour it was goalless before a controversial penalty sparked a rush of four goals in six minutes as Kendal heads went down.
Chairman Michael O’Neill said: “No arguments, Runcorn were the better side and looked good but the score-line was harsh. Something like 3 or 4-1 would have been a fairer reflection.
“There were three decisions by the referee in the first-half which affected the final outcome and definitely made a difference.”
When a home player went down on the edge of the area the referee allowed play to continue with two passes and an unsuccessful shot before going back and awarding the penalty. The Kendal players and bench were adamant that the challenge had occurred outside the box in any case.
Then at 3-0 Kendal had what seemed a clear scoring opportunity denied by the home keeper handling a yard outside the penalty area. Australian forward Dylan Mobbs saw his shot blocked by the advancing keeper as he came out of his area.
Although Kendal got their free-kick the keeper was only booked and then to add to Town’s displeasure they had Gary Basterfield sent off for a second yellow.
Again Kendal seemed to get the wrong end of the referee’s decision as Basterfield had been involved in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge when both players went to the ground.
O’Neill said: “It was one of those incidents where both players could have been booked, or neither, and that seemed the logical one.
“I was invited to speak with the referee afterwards, which I did, and made my observations on the three main incidents but it doesn’t change the result.”
Kendal trailed 4-0 at the break and conceded three further goals in the second-half when they were playing with ten men.
“The thing about it was Craig has now seen us at our best, a 1-0 win at Colne and that drubbing when we were at our worst.
“It clearly showed him we have a young side who need some experience and we have every confidence Craig will be able to do that and move us out of trouble,” said O’Neill.
Kendal are back in action on Tuesday when they host holders Appleby in the quarter finals of the County Cup.
