Spireites: ‘It was a stonewall penalty,’ says Chesterfield boss Paul Cook

Paul Cook believes his Chesterfield side should have had an injury-time penalty in the 1-1 draw away to Rochdale.
SpireitesSpireites
Spireites

Jay O’Shea gave the Spireites the lead after a flowing move carved the host’s defence apart before Bobby Grant levelled for Dale with a powerful strike from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Grant was then sent off for a late lunge on Sam Togwell on Keith Hill’s return to Spotland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And the visitors had keeper Tommy Lee to thank for making a crucial save shortly before the full time whistle.

Cook said: “Sometimes they (Chesterfield players) can get caught up in the game, they must be cold and calculated with what they do.

“Today we’ve played well again, there are some good performances and we’ve scored a cracking goal. I did feel we shaded it enough to win.”

Marc Richards had a goal ruled out for offside and the striker felt he was fouled in the area from Conor Townsend’s delivery one minute from time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Referee Andy Haines waved play on as Dale broke and Lee reacted quickly to thwart the home side all three points.

“Without being disrespectful to the referee, I’ve not seen it again, but it’s a penalty. It’s not a hard decision,” said Cook about the decision.

“It’s a penalty in stoppage time and for some reason, we don’t usually criticise the referees and we’re not blaming the referee, but it’s not a hard decision.

“I would like to see it again. For me it’s not close, it’s a stonewall penalty.”

Click here for the full match report.