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Chatham boss Scott Lindsey hit out at the Southern Counties East sin-bin rule – even though it helped his side beat AFC Croydon on Saturday.
Chats changed formation in a bid to break the deadlock after the Rams were temporarily reduced to 10 men and forced an own goal in the 62nd minute.
Matt Bodkin doubled the lead two minutes later, with Jake Rose replying on 73 minutes in a 2-1 win.
Lindsey branded the sin-bin system ‘ridiculous’ and ‘embarrassing’ despite Chatham using it to their advantage.
He said: “They had someone sin-binned and we changed our formation accordingly.
“We pushed players further forward and said, ‘look, we’ve got to try and score within the next 10 minutes’, and we did.
“That doesn’t mean I like it. I’d never heard of it before I came to Chatham.
“A few people explained it’s been used at certain levels but I just find it a ridiculous rule.
“It’s helped us but this is semi-pro football where some players are getting paid a lot of money and they’re playing to almost childlike rules.
“It’s not football. It’s just ridiculous. At this level you shouldn’t be doing stuff like that. It’s embarrassing but rules and rules and you have to abide by them.
“I think we need to concentrate more on the standard of the officials rather than silly rules like this.”
Victory keeps Chatham fifth in Southern Counties East, level on points with Medway rivals Hollands & Blair.
Lindsey was happy with the display and praised matchwinner Bodkin, who is still doing the business at 36.
“AFC Croydon are a strong side so I’m pleased with the result and the performance,” said Lindsey.
“Bodkin’s 36 but he’s fitter than most people on the pitch and he’s doing really well.
“I didn’t know who he was before coming to the club, no disrespect, but he’s a real attacking threat for us, he’s a great lad and he’s good in the dressing room.
“He’s someone you don’t have to worry about because you know he’s going to look after himself. He’s a manager’s dream in many ways.”
Ryan Nicholls has rejoined Chatham as cover for injured goalkeeper Dan Ellis.
Ellis is expected to miss the rest of the season after unwittingly playing on with a broken leg in their FA Vase defeat by Corinthian earlier this month.
Jordan Carey kept his place against AFC Croydon but Nicholls, who’s joined from Hythe, provides genuine competition.
Lindsey said: “Jordan played very well against AFC Croydon and at the moment he keeps his shirt. But I’ve said I don’t look at it as a No.1 and No.2 keeper, I like both to be fighting for the shirt so in my eyes I have two No.1s who I can rely on.
“Dan’s going to miss the rest of the season, which is a shame as he was doing well, but Ryan’s another one who is ready to play.”
Chatham meet AFC Croydon again on Tuesday, this time away in the Challenge Cup.
