“It doesn’t make any sense” – Charlton boss bemused by officials allowing Lincoln’s first goal to stand

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer reckons that the officials’ decision-making for Lincoln’s opening goal in today’s 2-0 defeat made “no sense”.

Jorge Grant’s finish on the stroke of half-time was allowed to stand despite strong offside claims from the visitors.

Tom Hopper’s penalty was saved by Ben Amos but Harry Anderson directed the ball back into the danger zone for Grant to slot into the net.

Bowyer went on to the pitch at the interval to speak to referee Marc Edwards.

And Edwards also had to deal with a lengthy protest from Addicks captain Darren Pratley. He also consulted with his assistant on that side before allowing Grant’s goal to stand.

Bowyer said: “It doesn’t make any sense what they are saying. The fourth official said the linesman, because of where he was standing, couldn’t get back into the position to give the offside quickly enough.

“So if he’d have given offside then he’d have been guessing. Okay – but I’m telling you he is two yards offside, so you’ve made the wrong decision. You’re guessing that he’s onside. It’s not even close.

“Ben didn’t have a save to make in open play and we come away with nothing.

“We’re breaking [in the second half] but he stops it because he [one of Lincoln’s players] took one in the nuts – is that a rule? What’s that? It’s laughable. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“I see people diving left, right and centre if someone touches them. It’s a contact sport – please tell me that hasn’t changed?

“But all those decisions, I don’t care. It’s the way we lost the game – we need to be more ruthless.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS