Emotions were high - Mathias

Published: 07 May 2011 - 20:00:05

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Stockport caretaker boss Ray Mathias admitted that emotions got the better of Stockport as their 106-year stay in the Football League came to an end with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Cheltenham.Greg Tansey scored a last-gasp penalty to cancel out Brian Smikle's first-half opener, but the most remarkable event came five minutes from the end when Hatters fans invaded the pitch and held a sit-down protest in the centre-circle.Mathias said: "It was an emotional day and I think it really got to our players."In the first half we just didn't compete and I really had a go at our lads at half-time. The second half was better, we were a bit more threatening going forward and the persistence paid off at the end."They can complain about the penalty, but I'm sure they`ve had decisions in their favour this season as well, and we certainly feel that we've been hard done by refereeing decisions on a number of occasions."He added: "The protest was disappointing but I have to compliment the players on the way they came out after the stoppage and showed a lot of character. I can understand the fans' frustrations, they're only feeling like any fans would in this situation, but the club could get a fine now so it only causes more problems."