Caldwell critical of spot kick that costs Grecians

EXETER City manager Gary Caldwell was left critical of the refereeing decision that cost the Grecians in their 1-0 opening day defeat to Doncaster Rovers - with the officials failing to implement their own new rules.

- STUART JAMES

Chances were few and far between and it seemed to be heading for a goalless draw until a controversial handball decision given against loan debutant Sil Swinkels in the 88th minute. The Aston Villa youngster was adjudged to have handled after a header from a free-kick was pumped in to the City penalty box which left referee Ross Joyce pointing to the spot.

It was unclear whether the ball hit Swinkels' hand or not and even replays and slow motion replays are not 100 per cent conclusive that it did. The ball had travelled less than a yard off the Donny man’s head and nota single Rovers player had initially appealed for it.

Luke Molyneux stepped up and converted the penalty, slotting it down the middle to beat Joe Whitworth’s dive. That proved to be the difference between the sides as City were beaten.

“A poor decision decides the game in the end as for all the possession they had they didn’t create a lot of chances,’ Caldwell said. When asked why he thought it was a poor decision, he explained: “I went on a two hour zoom on Thursday to tell us the new rules.