Kevin Nolan has slammed the decision not to award a free kick to Alan Smith in the lead-up to Lincoln City's killer second goal in their EFL Trophy encounter at Sincil Bank.
The Magpies had to beat the Imps to secure a top-two place in Group G and it seemed like it was going according to plan with Jonathan Forte's opener.
However, a dangerous Josh Ginnelly free kick was unfortunately diverted by Pierce Bird into his own net, before the Lincoln man struck a long-range winner for a 2-1 home win.
“I am very disappointed, because I thought there was a blatant foul on Smudge (Smith) leading up to the second goal,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“We knew we had to win to go through, and maybe we showed them too much respect in the second half.
“But overall I was pleased with a lot of performances, especially Pierce Bird. We shouldn’t have given the free-kick away which led to that goal.
“Nicky Hunt gave the free-kick away and he is big enough, old enough and ugly enough to know that is not the way to defend.
“We gave too many of them away on the night and Lincoln will always make it difficult for you as they throw the big men up.
“But what disappointed me is that we do not get that free-kick on Smudge and they score the second.
“I was disappointed but, in saying that, there were some good positives to come from the game.
“We wanted to get through to the next round. But we gave too many free-kicks away and Lincoln will always make it difficult for you.”
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