MAN-OF-THE-MATCH Clayton Donaldson admitted that York City players felt "cheated" by the performance of referee Shaun Procter-Green during Saturday's 4-2 home defeat against Conference leaders Accrington Stanley, writes Dave Flett.

Donaldson scored City's first goal and then created a second for striking partner Andy Bishop as the home side took a deserved 2-1 lead into the interval.

But a controversial penalty, dubiously awarded against right-back Jamie Price early in the second half for deliberate handball, gifted Accrington an opportuntiy to get back on level terms and Donaldson felt that decision was the game's defining moment.

He said: "I think Jamie was too close to get out of the way of the cross so I thought it was a bit harsh and I don't even know if it hit his hand or his head. The penalty was the turning point and some of our lads felt we were cheated and we lost our rag a bit."

Accrington went on to add further goals after David Brown's converted penalty with Paul Mullin grabbing his second of the match and midfielder Ian Craney completing the scoring.

Andy Bishop also saw an injury-time spot kick saved but Donaldson added: "The two goals knocked the stuffing out of us and the penalty we got was too late even if Bish had scored."

The former Hull City striker was, like manager Billy McEwan, upbeat about City's performance.

He said: "We have to take the positives from the game. We have played worse than that and taken three points and we played them off the park in the first half."

Updated: 11:10 Monday, March 27, 2006