Gutted Grimsby Town fans who watched their side's play-off defeat to Gateshead on TV believe two red cards cost their side dear.
The Mariners went down 3-1 to the Tynesiders in this afternoon's crucial second-leg clash, losing 4-2 on aggregate.
And supporters who watched the game in a packed Harveys Lounge and Kitchen in Cleethorpes described the referee's performance as "shocking".
James Rouse, 32, of Harrington Street, Cleethorpes, said: "The lads played well. The referee cost them really. The first sending off was disgusting."
Ian Chidwick, 36, of Cleethorpes, said: "It was a valiant effort but they didn't put enough passion into it. The bottom line is they just wanted it more."
Alex Swallow, 26, of Lestrange Street, Cleethorpes, said: "The referee's performance was disgraceful. Up the Mariners! We'll start again next season."
Earlier, fans watching at the Coach House in Humberston told the Grimsby Telegraph they believed Tonw could still progress to Wembley, despite a disappointing first-half performance which saw them trail 1-0 at the break.
Hannah Cornall, 23, of Scartho, said: "If we keep it on the deck and run at them we have got the beating of them."
Mark Balls, 41, of Grimsby, said: "Disappointing. I question our manager. I think he's set us up to come out slow. They should have come out as they finished on Thursday. I don't think Gateshead are that good."
Colin Garrod, 44, of Cleethorpes, said: "In three halves of football they have only had three shots on goal but somehow they are in front."
An estimated 1,400 Mariners made the journey north to cheer on Paul Hurst's men in their promotion play-off semi-final second flag.
Earlier fans boarding the coach for Gateshead were in confident mood.
Joe McGuire, 16, of Lady Frances Crescent, Cleethorpes, said: "I'm quite confident. We were the best team last game and we should have got the win, but we are usually better away from home so hopefully we can go there and beat them. I'm nervous – I was nervous yesterday – but I think we are going to make it that step further at least."
Seb Karmalita, 16, of Elizabeth Mews, Grimsby, said: "It could be our last game of the season but hopefully we will carry on and go up. We have been playing really well and I have a feeling we are going to do it."
Tony Hamilton, 47, of Princes Road, Cleethorpes, said: "Hopefully they will do it and in two weeks we will be back at Wembley. They have gone into the play-offs in better form than last year. I watched both games against Newport and they didn't turn up."
Harry Taylor, 16, of the Willows Estate, said: "I'm a bit nervous. It's going to be a tight game. Every corner and shot they take I will be biting my nails."
Kieran Riley, 16, also of the Willows Estate, said: "I'm confident but nervous. I badly want them to go up because this league is torture – no away fans come and the grounds are awful. We want league status more than anything."
Garry Clephane, 39, of Danes Close, Grimsby, said: "We outplayed them in the second half on Thursday so if we carry on doing that today we should be alright. They have got a good squad and the fans are behind them."
Terry Hall, chairman of the Grimsby Town Supporters Club is predicting a stressful afternoon.
He said: "I think we are going to do it, but my feeling is there will be extra time and penalties. We are going to be stressed out!"
