Officials got it wrong – Dickov

I DON’T BELIEVE IT . . . Paul Dickov looks on in bemusement.

TWO defensive lapses, an inspired display from Exeter goalkeeper Artur Krysiak and a pair of clear penalties not awarded conspired to condemn Athletic to defeat, in the view of manager Paul Dickov.

A slow start saw former Boundary Park loan striker Daniel Nardiello put the Grecians ahead after a slick passing move.

And though the visitors clawed their way back, a goal on the break from Guillem Bauza four minutes into the second half sealed only a second win of the season for Exeter.

After that, it was one-way traffic as Athletic peppered the home goal without reward, producing a performance Dickov had no issue with.

“We didn’t start the game very well and then it was pretty even until they scored,” said the Athletic boss, after a defeat which ended a run of two successive away wins and drops the club to 13th in the npower League One table.

“It was a sloppy goal from us defensively.

“In the first five minutes we were too deep. We sorted that out and as soon as we had done so, one of our defenders let his man run off him.

“He (Nardiello) went and scored the goal, but if he had stayed with his man it wouldn’t have happened.

“Then they were on top for a bit and you could see their confidence grow after they had scored the goal.

“But even with that, Alex Cisak had one save to make in the first half.

“We spoke about things at half-time. We came out and off our corner, they scored and we were two-down and up against it.

“In saying that, we were excellent in the second half. We have to start the game like that. They were two poor goals to concede.

“But the second half was the best we have played all season for the chances, the way we moved the ball and got it into their box.

“I’d like to know what their goalkeeper had for his pre-match meal.”

Dickov felt that fouls against Chris Taylor and Zander Diamond inside the penalty area warranted spot-kicks, as did a foul by Clarke on Exeter’s Nardiello in the first minute.

“All three were penalties and both sets of staff agreed on them at the time,” he added.

“On Chris Tayor’s one, one of their coaches Rob Edwards turned to me and said ‘definite penalty’. The officials still won’t admit it.”

Bauza’s second-half strike was particularly galling for Dickov, arriving as it did four minutes after a team talk urging Athletic to stay in the contest.

“It angers me,” Dickov added. “They won the second ball from the corner and as they pick it up, it is hoofed forward.

“We don’t stop the cross, we don’t win the header and their player is not picked up.

“It is really frustrating and that is why I keep banging on about giving yourself a chance.

“It is a weird feeling. Usually when I come into the press room after we have been beaten 2-0, I am angry because we deserved it.

“But we didn’t deserve it on the second half performance today.”