Coleman fumes at ref

HEREFORD 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2

STANLEY boss John Coleman was furious with referee Mike Mullarkey after his side's top of the table clash at Hereford.

The Reds were 2-0 up after David Brown's overhead kick on 37 minutes put the Reds ahead against his former club and an Ian Craney corner was sent into his own net by Tamika Mkwandawire just after the break.

However, Danny Ventre was sent off for a controversial hand ball decision on 72 minutes and the Bulls were awarded a penalty.

Rob Purdie's spot kick was saved superbly by keeper Rob Elliot but Stuart Fleetwood pounced to fire home.

Then, after the fourth official held up six minutes of injury time, Nicky Nicolau scored in the fourth minute of extra-time to draw level.

It still leaves Hereford trailing Stanley by 16 points but denied the Reds the chance of equalling the Conference record of 11 straight wins.

"All we want is for officials to give us a fair ride and I felt we didn't get a fair ride at Hereford," said Coleman, whose side have had three men sent off in four games at Edgar Street.

"The referee didn't want to give us anything. I can't believe someone who had a particularly good first half could be like that in the second.

"If it was a deliberate hand ball he has to move his hand towards the ball and it is debatable whether it hit his hand or not."