ANGRY York City manager Martin Foyle accused referee Geoff Eltringham of giving Mansfield Town the game after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Field Mill.

The Stags, reduced to ten men on 57 minutes when defender Scott Garner was sent off, held on for victory after Rob Duffy scored the only goal of the game following a controversial first-half penalty decision.

An off-balance Michael Blackwood appeared to kick the ball out of play before tumbling over City ’keeper Michael Ingham’s body only for Eltringham to point to the spot.

The surprise decision infuriated Foyle, who confronted the Sunderland official at the end of the first period and also felt his side were denied a penalty of their own after the break.

Foyle said: “I’m bitterly disappointed and feel that Mr Eltringham stole the show. He was absolutely poor and below Conference level.

“We are at this level, but he shouldn’t be. I know the right words to use about him, but I’d probably get fined £500.

“Fair play to their lad – he conned the referee, who gave the game to them. He said he went with the linesman for the penalty, but the linesman said it was the referee’s decision.

“Michael said he didn’t touch him and the lad toe-poked the ball three yards from the touchline while he was going away from goal. It was embarrassing. We also had a blatant penalty not given when their player handled an Adam Boyes cross in the area.”

Despite his side’s perilous league position, Foyle also believes City will avoid relegation if they can maintain the standards of their last two performances at Field Mill and Kidderminster.

Duffy’s penalty was Mansfield’s solitary shot on target and only a fine performance from home ’keeper Alan Marriott prevented the Minstermen from capitalising on their one-man advantage.

Foyle conceded, though, that his team should have made their second-half domination count, adding: “I thought we were outstanding. We were organised and gave them problems while they gave us none, but we’ve got to be more ruthless in the box.