Hartlepool United boss gives his verdict on Chesterfield's penalty decision
Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor did not think Chesterfield’s penalty should have been awarded - but was happy with the way his team responded.
The Spireites were given a spot-kick early in the second half when Tom Denton’s header was adjudged to have been handled by defender Ryan Johnson.
Referee Steven Copeland pointed to the spot and Denton calmly converted to give Town the lead.
But the visitors came from behind to make it two wins from two for Challinor’s men.
Town had been the better team in the first half and Challinor asked for a reaction after the break – and he got one.
“I asked them questions at half-time around what we want to be and what we want to do and the characteristics we will have to show to do that and I thought second half we did that, especially when, unjustly in my opinion, we go behind from a penalty,” he said. “To show that resolve and spirit to get three points on the road is massive.”
On Denton’s penalty, he added: “The penalty comes from us dropping off a little bit and potentially you could argue we have given him (Denton) a free header. It has hit an arm/shoulder-ish, whatever it might be, his arms are by his side. In my opinion it is not a penalty. But I am just happy it has not cost us the three points.”