DOVER keeper Paul Hyde has criticised the referee's decision to give a penalty against him in the Whites' 1-1 draw at Chelmsford City on Saturday.

The failure to take all three points left the club eight points from safety in the Ryman Premier League with just nine games to play.

The controversial spot kick came just minutes into the second half. Hyde came to claim a corner and apeared to be blocked off by a City player as he went to clear he ball. But referee Ian Crouch judged Hyde had kicked out at his opponent and awarded the penalty.

Hyde said: "It was a disgraceful decision by the referee. I am a left-footed keeper and I just stood my ground looking to clear the ball and he believes I stamped on the player.

"In my 20-plus years in the game I have never seen anything like it and though I admit I am no saint, I did not stamp on the player and even some of their players were laughing at the decision."

But Mr Crouch, said: "I am 100 per cent certain that I made the right decision. As the Chelmsford player was going past Hyde, he flicked his foot out at him."

Video footage seemed to lend support to Mr Crouch’s case, but Hyde insisted: "People will look at it and say that I have cost us the points but I just ignore them.

"Everyone knows I care about Dover passionately and if I can help us to stay up this season it will be one of the greatest achievements in my career and I will continue to give 110 per cent to the cause."