Darren Sarll has slammed some of the officiating during his side’s 1-1 draw with Notts County on Saturday.

The Comet: Michael TongeMichael Tonge (Image: Archant)

The Stevenage boss, who saw his side take the lead through Ben Kennedy on nine minutes only to then surrender their advantage 10 minutes later, was adamant that there was a foul on Matt Godden in the build up to the County equaliser.

Yet the Boro boss was even more furious with a robust challenge on Michael Tonge during the second half which he said could, on another day, have left his midfielder with a serious injury.

The Stevenage boss said: “We’ve watched [the tackle on Godden] with the analyst and it’s a foul.

“Without getting myself in trouble, it’s a foul on Michael Tonge in the second half. I’m sure they [the match officials] are supposed to be there to protect us, and when Michael Tonge, who everyone knows in the world of football is [an] honest and humble being, is rolling around and hurt, honestly it leaves me speechless at times.

“And they want respect and want you to shake hands and smile.

“[Tonge] is 33 years old and it may have cost him his career that tackle. That may be a bit dramatic, but stranger things have happened. If Michael’s foot had been planted at a different angle…

“Now the one before, it’s a foul on Matt Godden. But saying that I’m absolutely furious with the way we defended the long ball into [Jon] Stead. We could have done a little bit more about that as well.”