Richard Dryden: 'Opening Oxford goal was never a penalty'

Notts County co-caretaker manager Richard Dryden has bemoaned referee Carl Boyeson's decision to award Oxford United a penalty on the stroke of half time in their win against Notts County on Saturday.

Two late strikes from Callum O'Dowda and Kemar Roofe helped the U's to a 4-2 win at the managerless Magpies, but it was the crucial penalty decision that angered Dryden.

He was convinced that goalkeeper Roy Carroll had not brought down Liam Sercombe and thought the decision changed the game.

"It was tough on us especially to go in a goal down before half-time," Dryden told local media. "I've seen the challenge from Roy again, because at the time from where I was stood you couldn't say yes or no.

"But watching the video again, Roy was a mile away and it was never a penalty. It was a minute before half-time and while it was not the end of the world, it knocks you back a bit.

"We only really started to show how we could play in the second half. We knew, from watching footage of them, that Oxford were a really good attacking side with lots of pace. They like to suck you in a bit, and then hit you on the counter-attack. The fourth goal summed that up.

"We sat a little bit deeper than usual and it was no secret we've tried to work on the defensive organisation of the team. We've made a few changes at the back and it's almost a brand new back four."

The result sees Notts slip to 17th in League two with 30 points from 24 games.

Credit to Dan Westwell for the image.

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