NOTTS County assistant manager Alex Rae criticised referee Jock Waugh for awarding Saints a crucial second half penalty in their 3-1 win at Meadow Lane.

Magpies defender John Thompson was sent off midway through the second half for bringing down Lee Barnard when the striker was clean through on goal.

Notts County had dominated the game up to that point and led 1-0, but the decision turned the match on its head.

Rickie Lambert converted the spot kick to equalise and Saints went on to romp home against the remaining ten men.

Rae said he and new County manager Paul Ince had not been able to tell if it was a penalty from watching the replays after the match.

But that didn’t stop him from labelling Waugh’s decision as “dubious” and criticising the official’s positioning.

“Up until the penalty we felt as if we were doing very well,” said the Scot.

“We had a couple of headed opportunities from which we could have taken a 2-0 lead.

“Then, obviously, the penalty’s a dubious decision, considering the referee’s 40 yards away from it.

“It was the turning point.

“We’ve had a look at the video evidence and it doesn’t really help us much.

“But the decision was made and we struggled to get to grips with it, because they are a very good team.”