HARROGATE Railway boss Paul Marshall has lodged an official complaint about referee Ken Haycock following the official's controversial display last week.

Haycock awarded an injury-time penalty for Liversedge and, after it was blazed over the bar, ordered the kick be retaken because of player encroachment, with the resulting goal being the equaliser in a 2-2 Northern Counties East League premier division draw.

The Bradford-based referee also sent off both Railway substitute Steve Stocks minutes after he had entered the fray and the Liversedge goalkeeper.

Marshall awarded Haycock's display only two out of ten on the official assessment sheet and, with any marks under four requiring further comment to league bosses, sent in a two-page letter outlining his complaints.

"He annoyed supporters and officials of both clubs. I disagreed with most of his decisions and in the end he cost us two points.

"If it had happened last season when we were struggling I would have gone ballistic. As it is I just went half-ballistic."

He added: "Referees could be responsible for teams winning and losing leagues and getting relegated. Some are great but some are very poor.

"I know it's a very difficult job to do but they've taken on that responsibility.

"Mr Haycock has been a referee for 20 years since he was 15, so he's arguably never played before and he may not understand what players and managers are feeling."

Ron Skidmore, the NCEL referees' assessors' secretary and referees' committee chairman, said he could not comment on the issue and was still awaiting reports from the match assessor and the two clubs.