Kevin Nolan bewildered as Notts County not given clear penalty in Crewe Alexandra draw

Kevin Nolan has expressed his bewilderment with referee Gavin Ward's decision not to award Shola Ameobi a penalty late on in Notts County's 2-2 draw at Crewe Alexandra.

With the League Two clash at Gresty Road delicately poised, the veteran striker was brought down by Crewe goalkeeper Ben Garratt, but instead the referee gave the hosts a free kick and booked Ameobi for diving.

Nolan could barely contain his frustration after the game, and the Nottingham Post quotes him as saying: "Your guess is as good as mine as to why the ref didn't give it.

"Whether we would have scored I don't know because our recent record of penalties isn't great.

"I am bewildered. I think the ref and his staff know it is the wrong decision. The fourth official has to help the referee. He could see it, we could see it, and everyone in the stadium could see it.

"It's so annoying because the officials are supposed to be a team and work together.

"This is another thing about that decision, they have to know the player. Shola is an honest player and plays the game in the right way.

"I don't think he's been sent off and he very rarely gets yellow cards. He's not a cheat so I don't know really what to say because I don't want to get into too much trouble."

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