FORMER referee training instructor Eddie Benson has denounced the display of controversial official Shaun Procter-Green during York City's 4-2 defeat against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

City were on the receiving end of two puzzling Procter-Green decisions at critical stages during their Conference home clash against the runaway leaders.

The Gainsborough official first awarded a harsh penalty against Jamie Price for handball and then failed to detect a blatant shove on Minstermen top scorer Andy Bishop in the opposition's 18-yard box.

His performance was condemned afterwards by Billy McEwan and the City manager has now received an unlikely ally in former referee and ex-York and District FA instructor Benson, who was at Saturday's game as a fan.

Haxby and Wigginton Youth and Community Association chairman Benson was awarded an MBE last year for his services to young people in North Yorkshire and was the first-ever winner of the Evening Press Community Pride Person of the Year award in 2004.

In a letter to the Evening Press, he said: "I've always defended the decisions of referees in the local or professional game and have consistently adopted this view much to the annoyance of many of my fellow York City supporters. Unfortunately I witnessed the worst two referee decisions I can remember on Saturday.

"The referee gave the most appalling decision for an Accrington penalty on 47 minutes and York had been in total dominance until this point. Regrettably, the official changed the game and worse was to come.

"Andy Bishop was completely through for a goalscoring opportunity and then was deliberately pushed in the back with no penalty given. I have a great deal of sympathy for Billy McEwan who said afterwards he would mark the referee 0 out of 10 for his efforts.

"It was the worst I have seen and I am quite sure the referee's assessor would take a similar view."

Benson, of Crooklands Lane, Haxby, added that City should not feel too deflated by Saturday's result and also encouraged more people in the City to help swell the KitKat Crescent crowd during the crucial run-in to the end of the season.

He said: "The City players and Billy should not be deterred. They are playing great football and deserve to get some awards for their splendid efforts.

"Keep it up and come on you distant supporters. There's a lot happening at KitKat Crescent which you must come and see."

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, March 29, 2006