TRURO CITY manager John Askey was left “flabbergasted” after one of his players received a “strange” red card.
Truro lost 4-0 at Solihull Moors on Wednesday and are now second-from-bottom of the National League table, with one point separating them from safety.
The Tinners were 2-0 down when Shaun Donnellan was sent off nine minutes after half-time.
Donnellan, 29, was shown a second yellow card by referee Melissa Burgin for coming back on to the field after an injury without permission.
But Askey, 61, insists the centre-back was given permission to return to the field by both the fourth official and the assistant referee.
The Truro boss is adamant Burgin’s decision had “no common sense” and “killed” his team’s chances at Damson Park.
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Askey said: “I’ve not seen somebody get sent off for that before.
“It’s just a strange, strange decision and no common sense was applied I didn’t think.
“The red card just killed us really. I think everybody was just flabbergasted at what had happened.
“The fourth official said when it reaches a certain time, then he could go back on, so Shaun took that as he could go on the pitch.
“The fourth official was stood with him, but surely she should stop the game, tell him to get back on.
“Rather than trying to keep players on the park it looks as though officials are more intent on trying to get people off.
“It just kills a game, but I don’t think that’s within the spirit of the game, doing things like that, referees booking people and sending them off, I just don’t don’t think it’s in the spirit of what football should be about.”
