Hythe boss Clive Cook wants match officials to start showing managers more respect.

The Cannons were knocked out of the FA Trophy by a late penalty at Leatherhead on Saturday and Cook was furious with the decision.

But what upset him even more was the lack of a decent explanation from the referee or his assistant.

“I could not believe it,” Cook said. “I thought ‘what’s he given?’ That was never a penalty.

“I said to the linesman ‘where’s that come from?’ but they look at you as if you’re talking a different language.

“Show a bit of respect – we have to. That’s the big difference, and I do.

“I never rant because I think it’s a hard job and without a ref and a linesman you can’t play a game of football. But some of the decisions, no way, not a chance.

“They talk about this Respect campaign but my dad brought me up to believe that you earn respect.

“I had to ask older board members ‘am I wrong or right?’ and they just couldn’t believe what he’d done through the game.

“Their fans said ‘you’ve got to feel so bad’ and I thought ‘are you taking the mickey out of me?’ and they were going ‘no, seriously, that was awful’.

“They applauded us off and said we should never have got that result. It was a bitter one to swallow.”

Hythe’s performance against Bostik Premier opposition proved they have the quality to fight for promotion this season although that was little consolation to Cook on the day.

“You could have heard a pin drop after the game,” he said. “The players couldn’t believe it. Seven minutes from the end and he gave a penalty.

“I’d hold my hands up if it was a penalty but not a chance. I’m very frustrated with that result.

“Hopefully next year that’s what we’re going to come up against every week, playing teams like that. We matched them all the way and bettered them.

“I take it on the chin – you lose a cup game, OK. Fair play to them, I hope they get on well and carry on. I’ve got nothing against Leatherhead.

“Their chairman, Richard Brady, couldn’t believe we lost that game.

“The league was always our bread and butter. We were never going to win that cup but you want to stay in it because it’s great for the club, the exposure, but also the money for a small club is great.

“I would have liked another go at them back at home but that’s not going to happen now.”

Long-term injury absentee Will Thomas returns to the squad on Saturday when Hythe travel to Chipstead in Bostik South.