Hill blasts match officials as Dale are held

KEITH Hill slated the performance of the match officials after Notts County earned a 2-2 in controversial fashion at Spotland.

Not for the first time this season Hill’s post-match analysis centred around the referee.

Scott Mathieson allowed the Magpies’ late leveller to stand despite what seemed to be a foul on goalkeeper Josh Lillis in the build-up and two visiting players appearing to be standing in offside positions when Gary Thompson turned the ball into the net.

It left a sour taste in Hill’s mouth and denied his side the chance to move up to fifth in the League One standings.

“The players have done their jobs,” said Hill. “We all expect the officials to do their jobs and they haven’t done.

“It was as clear as day that they had two players offside, but for whatever reason the referee and the linesman have not given it.

“The linesman was suggesting the two players were offside, but the referee said the ball has come off one of our players.”

The visitors took the lead when Mike Edwards met Elliott Whitehouse’s near-post delivery and volleyed beyond substitute goalkeeper Lillis, who had replaced Conrad Logan just four minutes in after the on-loan Leicester City man suffered an Achilles injury.

Hill’s men levelled seconds after the restart through Ian Henderson.

Roy Carroll pulled off a great save to deny Peter Vincenti when he met Michael Rose's corner with a firm header, but was powerless after 65 minutes when Vincenti headed Matty Done’s cross into the roof of the net.

Done almost added another to make the result safe, though Dale looked odds-on for victory until that late controversy surrounding Thompson’s leveller.