Source: Northern_Echo
Staunton hits out at referee
REFEREE Steve Blunt came under fire from angry Darlington manager Steve Staunton following Saturdays occasionally tempestuous match at Barnet.[LNB] Defender Ian Miller was left unconscious midway through the first half following a heavy-handed challenge by Barnet striker Paul Furlong in the Darlington goalmouth.[LNB] The incident instigated a series of rash challenges from both teams, with Barnet believing Darlington debutant James Collins should have been sent off following an aerial challenge with the Bees Gary Breen.[LNB] And in the second half Micah Hyde was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for a very late sliding tackle on Quakers Jamie Chandler.[LNB] I thought the referee could have nailed the whole thing from the off, said Staunton.[LNB] There was a bad tackle early on on David Davis and from then on I thought anything could happen. The referee could have stamped things out from the beginning, but he didnt.[LNB] Its up to the referee to manage the game.[LNB] Miller recovered enough to take his place in the dug-out during the second half.[LNB] While he was being treated by medical staff, Collins clashed with Breen, a former Republic of Ireland teammate of Stauntons, leaving blood pouring from a head wound.[LNB] The Darlington manager explained: James went up and used his arm for leverage.[LNB] With Gary coming across, James caught him and that happens in football.[LNB]
