League One play-off referee howler described as 'worst in 15 years'

Dave Challinor hailed the mental strength of his Stockport players for bouncing back from the biggest refereeing howler he has seen in 15 years as a manager.

But the County boss is aware that the hardest work is still to come after they let a hard-fought lead slip late on to ensure Wednesday’s second leg begins level.

Challinor was furious that League One golden boot winner Charlie Kelman gave Orient the lead half an hour in despite being more than two yards offside.

However Oliver Norwood ignited their fightback by converting a penalty before delivering a pinpoint free-kick that Fraser Horsfall headed home. And that appeared to earn Stockport a slender advantage midway through the tie until Kelman equalised late on from the spot after Horsfall blocked Ollie O’Neill’s shot with his hand.

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Referee Ben Speedie got that decision right, though Orient were also denied an earlier penalty that appeared obvious.

Both teams played some fantastic football but it was all tainted by Kelman’s first being allowed after he was clearly off when getting on the end of Omar Beckles’ header.

“Massive kudos to the players for reacting in a positive way to the worst decision I’ve seen in 15 years in management and in what is the biggest game of my managerial career,” Challinor said. “I’ve not spoken to the referee or linesman yet but that was an absolute shocker.

“They are supposed to be the best of our group to be officiating these games. If that’s the best of our group, players, staff and managers are right to be concerned because things are being taken out of our control by people not being able to make simple decisions.”

Orient boss Richie Wellens said he had not seen a replay of the incident but admitted: “We’d rather get a genuine goal. I don’t need to speak about officials at this level, they need massive improvement.”

Stockport’s equaliser arrived on the hour when Rarmani Edmonds-Green could not stop himself from handling a cross from the right. Norwood dispatched the spot kick into the bottom left corner.

Their tails up, County pushed forward for a second and when Randal Williams tripped Jayden Fevrier on the right wing, Norwood’s delivery was met by Horsfall as he rose unmarked to head home from about eight yards.

Falling behind brought fresh impetus to Orient’s play and Kelman was irate when his appeals for a penalty after clear contact from Norwood were ignored.

But just as the hosts’ hopes were beginning to fade Kelman was awarded his chance from 12 yards when O’Neill’s shot came off Horsfall’s hand.

Kelman picked the same corner as Norwood had earlier to leave an absorbing tie well poised.

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