Southend United defender Adam Barrett branded referee Russell Booth's penalty decision "a joke" following the Shrimpers dire 2-0 defeat at 10-man Rochdale on Saturday.
The Nottingham-based official controversially adjudged the Seasiders' centre back to have handled Paul Tait's second-half shot - enabling Dale skipper Gary Jones to double his afternoon's tally from the penalty spot.
"The guy turned to shoot, I blocked it with my feet but he hit it so hard it bounced up and hit my arm," said Barrett, who replaced the injured Spencer Prior for his Southend debut towards the start of the second half.
"The ref said I put my hand up to palm it away but that's ridiculous. I'm not a goalkeeper and there is no way I would've been able to do that.
"It was a decision that turned the game though and it was a joke to be honest."
The heavily-criticised Booth also sent off the home-side's Leo Bertos for kicking out at Mark Bentley in the 54th minute.
But Barrett claimed the hotly disputed spot kick, which followed shortly after, had cost Southend the game.
"At 2-0 down we were chasing the match and it ruined things for us really," said the 34-year-old."
Published Monday August 16, 2004
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