First team manager Chris Kiwomya was disappointed with a number of key refereeing decisions in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
Andre Boucaud was dismissed for two yellow cards, the second of which was deemed to be very harsh by the travelling support and the Magpies’ squad.
It was also argued that Bournemouth’s second goal, a stunning hit from free-scoring frontman Brett Pitman, should have been disallowed for a handball in the build-up to the finish.
“I’m very disappointed with the referee and I’ve spoken to him at the end, because I felt that he spoilt the game,” said Kiwomya.
“I thought it was going to be a very good game with two attacking teams and he’s giving yellow cards and he sent off Boucaud for that.
“[With regards to the handball], the referee’s got to play his part with those things, because they are the little turning points in games.”
He continued: “If we go in at half time and it’s 1-1 and we’ve got 11 players on the pitch, it’s a good game.
“It was always going to be an uphill battle for us and I was disappointed by a lot of the decisions and on another day, with 11 men, we could have gone on to draw or even win the game.”
Moving away from the referee’s performance, Kiwomya was proud of how his side battled out the second half with only 10 men.
“We did well and even in the second half with our backs against the wall, we created more chances and should have scored,” he continued.
“I’ve got to say that the 10 men on the field were absolutely magnificent and gave their all.”
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