Salford boss Karl Robinson was critical of referee Richie Watkins after his side overcame the second-half dismissal of Curtis Tilt to salvage a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield.
James Berry put the hosts ahead in the 69th minute before Salford were reduced to 10 men two minutes later when Tilt was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for dissent and the second following an off-the-ball incident involving Will Grigg.
However, Chesterfield could not put the game to bed and Salford snatched a late equaliser through substitute Kelly NâMai â the Ammiesâ first goal of the season.
Robinson felt his side deserved their point from the game but was far from impressed with the match official.
He said: âI can talk about multiple decisions that he didnât give today that he gave to the opposition.
âHe let silly little things go that led to that melee in the middle of the pitch.
âThen we go to the goal. Woody (Ben Woodburn) played a pass and clearly he gets pushed from behind and it hits their guy on the hand. Clearly, for everyone to see. And then Tilty has a go at the assistant referee and then gets booked.
âAnd then all Tilty did was step across his man. Will Griggâs experience has got him the second booking.
âThen, really weirdly when we scored the goal, Chey Dunkley did exactly the same thing and not even a free-kick was given.
âI felt that we denied a team that scored five goals last week to very limited chances in the first half.
âWe have to be better in possession. I felt that we had the best three opportunities in the first half, without actually dominating or having any period of sustained pressure in their final third.
âAfter the first three or four minutes of the second half, we changed the shape a little bit and we seemed to get a little bit closer to them.
âWe looked a little bit more aggressive in our press. We kept two up top, even down to 10 men, with a bit of a different shape and probably deserved a draw.â
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook bemoaned his promoted sideâs inability to hold onto their lead against a man less.
He said: âJust really disappointing. I feel we should see the game out.
âItâs very much a learning curve. Itâs all new to us. The lads are doing really well.
âOnce we scored the goal â a fantastic finish from James Berry â weâve got to see that game out.
âWe concede from a corner. Why would you put a corner in the goalieâs hand to give them an attack? Weâre winning, weâve got an extra man and weâre possession-based team. Keep the ball and they canât score.
âSalford are a good side with some big players in this division, but I thought we controlled the game well in the first half.
âThe Salford lads worked hard to get the point so Iâm sure theyâll think they deserved it.â
