Dino Maamria blasts officials after draw at Notts County

Stevenage manager Dino Maamria accused officials of “robbing” his team after their 3-3 draw at Notts County.

Three equalising goals from Ben Kennedy, Alex Revell and Danny Newton saw Boro prise a point from their trip to Meadow Lane.

Despite denying County chief Harry Kewell victory in his first home game and keeping them rooted to the bottom of the League Two table, Maamria was enraged by the decision-making of referee Ross Joyce.

Maamria was especially aggrieved at the 22nd-minute penalty awarded when Ben Nugent brought down Jon Stead and a foul not given on Kennedy in the lead-up to County’s second.

“With those two decisions you’re just like ‘what is going on,” Maamria blasted.

“We got robbed. We got absolutely robbed.

“My players put their bodies on the line. We played brilliant football. What I watched happen wasn’t fair.

“I’ll watch those clips with anyone. Why did all those decisions go against us?

“I spoke to the fourth official after five minutes. He threatened me.

“They have these red and yellow cards now and they threaten you with them. I was only talking to him. I wasn’t swearing.”

Stevenage also mounted a convincing late shout for a penalty when Luther Wildin was dragged down in the box, but Joyce waved it away.

County survived the scare and claimed their first point since their goalless draw with Colchester United on the opening day of the season.

Stead converted the spot-kick he earned, Enzio Boldewijn’s curling into the far corner and Kane Hemmings’ slide home a cool second-half finish.

After Kewell’s arrival from Crawley Town in early September, back-to-back defeats to Forest Green Rovers and Exeter City made it a rocky start to the Australian’s tenure in the East Midlands.

But while a point represents progress, Kewell doesn’t want many more white-knuckle rides if his side are to glide towards safety.

“I don’t want too many games like that!,” said Kewell.

“We had a plan at the start of the game to get a point, to get confidence back in the team.

“We were very positive, especially in the first half. Our legs went kind of at the end of the game.

“Stevenage play a simple way looking for flick-ons. I’m disappointed we led three times and couldn’t hold out.

“We’re hurting but it’s a point and something to build on.

“All the players worked hard and it’s just a shame we didn’t get three points.

“We’ve worked hard to get new ideas across. The players have been giving enthusiasm during the week and they’ve taken that on to the park.”