CHERRIES manager Sean O'Driscoll is calling for Nationwide League referees to become more "accountable" for their decisions.

O'Driscoll has spoken out after Cherries were denied what he described as "the most stonewall penalty I have seen in more than 20 years in the game".

Dean Court boss O'Driscoll admitted he was mystified when referee Clive Penton turned down claims for a spot kick after Warren Feeney had been brought down by Wrexham goalkeeper David Walsh on Saturday.

And although the Sussex-based official was possibly unsighted, the first-half incident took place right in front of his assistant Paul Melin who also failed to signal for a penalty.

O'Driscoll, who rarely publicly criticises refereeing decisions, said: "It was the most blatant penalty I have ever seen and ludicrous that it wasn't given.

"Warren got to the ball before David Walsh and after toeing it past him, their goalkeeper just took him out. Everybody stopped and it looked as if their goalkeeper might get sent-off.

"If officials can't get those decisions right then all the talk about video evidence is nonsense.

"I can understand split decisions like whether or not the ball is over the line or a tight offside, but that was a stonewall penalty.

"In a tighter game, it could have been the difference between winning and losing and maybe people staying in their jobs or people losing their jobs.

"Referees have got to be more accountable. You can't ask them about decisions afterwards and even if I write a report asking for the referee's opinion after he has studied the video, you never get a reply.

"There's no communication so we just perpetuate the situation and nothing gets any better year after year.

"I would like to know why the referee and linesman didn't give that penalty. If they have got a good enough reason then I've got to accept it.

"There must be a reason. The referee could say he was unsighted which I would say was poor refereeing, but the linesman was 15 yards away and didn't give it.

"Either he was waiting for the referee to give it or he didn't think it was a penalty. If he didn't think it was a penalty I would like to know why.

"I understand they are going to get things wrong and the little things probably even themselves out over a season, but these decisions are crucial.

"If we are going to improve the situation then managers and coaches have a responsibility to ask questions when things go for and against us.

"You can't just wait until you lose because you feel you have become the victim of a bad decision. If the boot had been on the other foot on Saturday, I would have said it was a penalty and we were lucky.

"But I will write my report, I will ask for opinions and no doubt I will be met with a stony silence again."