'It is scandalous' - James Rowe frustrated by refereeing decision as Chesterfield lose against Stockport County

With the game goalless and approaching the hour-mark, referee Adam Herczeg incorrectly awarded the Hatters a throw-in deep into the Spireites’ half. The decision led to John Rooney assisting James Jennnings for the opener.

Alex Reid sealed the points for the hosts when he fired in from close-range on 81 minutes after a mistake by Joel Taylor, confirming Town’s first defeat in six matches.

“I’m not angry because it is expected, it is every week now,” Rowe said.

“A refeering decision has changed the game and I am disappointed for the lads because they did not deserve that.

“We were in the ascendancy, clearly, in the second half when it was nil-nil, the gameplan was perfect.

“We had more possession, more final third entries at the start of the second half and penalty area entries and we were looking dangerous.

“The goal changes the game.

“The linesman is actually saying it is our ball, and it has ended up in the back of our net. Now we have got to do better for the goal, granted, but the scenario should never happen.

“There is just no accountability for it either because it is every week and it is starting to become ridiculous.

“What is disappointing is that he was the referee for the Aldershot game and he cost us two points there because that goal was onside.”

Moments before County’s opener there was a similar situation in which Herczeg got a decision wrong on a throw-in which the hosts almost scored from.

“It wasn’t just that throw-in, it was the one before as well, it is scandalous,” Rowe said.

Overall, the Spireites boss thought it was a close game with neither team creating any clear-cut opportunities.

“It has never been a two-nil result on the balance of play,” he added.

“The second goal I am very disappointed about because we have got to stop the cross and Joel has got himself in a mix-up at the back post where his body shape is wrong and he ended up heading it down to their centre forward.”