GRIMSBY Town joint boss Paul Hurst said his side felt 'cheated' after a contentious free-kick denied the Mariners all three points at Gateshead last night.
Andi Thanoj's 47th minute strike looked to have set Town on their way to ending their winless run – but they were pegged back by Josh Gillies' free-kick after referee Anthony Backhouse gave a decision that left the bosses – and the hardy group of travelling fans – feeling hard done by.
It was a game that the Mariners dominated, with winger Jamie Devitt twice hitting the woodwork – but Scott and Hurst's men left County Durham with only a point to show for their efforts.
Hurst said: "Without a doubt we should have won it. We totally dominated and we feel a little bit cheated by a decision from the official when there was no contact whatsoever.
In Pictures: Gateshead v Grimsby Town
"It leaves a bitter taste, but in terms of our lads and the performance they put in, I have to say we were outstanding.
"We freshened it up as much as we could and the lads that came in did an excellent job. It's hard for them because they had disappointment from not being involved at Wembley but they came in and did excellent – it's a credit to them.
"We changed the system and, in all truth, we haven't had much time to work on that so to come out and play and well as we have done, and not take the points is tough to take and we feel a bit cheated but all credit to the players – they were outstanding.
"It's been difficult to prepare for, but it sometimes shows that you can put all the preparation in and not get the performance and then you throw them out there and you get a real positive outcome.
"I can't legislate for the decision but once it's given I have to say it's a good finish but they should never have been given that opportunity."
He continued: "We should have made it safe, but you have to ask if the luck is with us at the minute.
"Jamie Devitt hit the woodwork twice, then there were a few offside decisions that looked very dubious where we would have been through on goal."
