Stockport County players were furious after Leyton Orient took the lead in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final after the linesman failed to chalk the goal off. Charlie Kelman found the back of the net for the home side after beating goalkeeper Corey Addai from close range but was clearly offside when the ball was headed to him inside the Stockport penalty area.
Both sides had been pushing for an opener when Orient were awarded a free-kick just inside the final third of the pitch. Jamie Donley whipped the ball into the penalty area, with a Stockport man hooking the ball clear, high into the air. Sean Clare headed the ball back into the danger zone, with Omar Beckles flicking it on with his head. The ball eventually arrived at the feet of Kelman, who was standing almost three yards offside. And the striker lashed the ball into the goal.
Stockport players surrounded referee Ben Speedie to make their concerns known. But their protests were quickly waved away as the goal was allowed to stand.
And former Premier League manager Phil Brown said on BBC Radio Manchester: “I’ve been berating officials all my life and you want them to be better and get key decisions right but this one is horrendous.
“He’s three yards offside. It can’t be an eyesight problem and I can’t find a reason. Only thing I can think of is a flick on but then the ref speaks to the linesman. There’s got to be a knock on the door at half time. In these games am I advocating VAR? Yes I am because it’s a massive decision.”
Meanwhile, ex-Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth told Sky Sports: “I have no idea how the referee has not disallowed the goal.
“Surely the referee has to relay that touch to the linesman and it’s disallowed – because it’s a huge, huge goal.
“For me, he must give that as an offside. To be 1-0 down to a goal like that, when they have been on top, it’s a tough one.”
And former Leyton Orient winger Jobi McAnuff added: “A goal a little bit against the run of play. I’ve got to say Stockport have been really, really good first half.
“But when you are a centre-forward that’s in as good as form as Charlie Kelman is, you won’t get an easier opportunity than this.
“He gets himself into what we now know is an offside position but again his movement, he’s always trying to get into a position where he can make an impact. You can see he’s clearly in an offside position. Stockport will be rightfully disappointed with that goal.”
Stockport eventually drew level after an hour when Oliver Norwood struck from the penalty spot. The visitors then turned the game on its head five minutes later as Fraser Horsfall found the back of the net, but the home side snatched a draw late on as Kelman scored a penalty of his own.
