IN the post match press conference at the Lamb Ground, manager John Coleman found it difficult to keep his frustrations silent.

But anyone who had witnessed the previous 90-plus minutes of refereeing ineptitude would find it easy to understand why.

On more than one occasion the Stanley manager had seen one of his players booked for, at the absolute worst, next to nothing.

Dean Calcutt had been shown yellow, firstly for dissent on 26 minutes, then just a minute later was brandished a second and subsequently sent off for his part in a midfield fracas which broke out after a Steve Hollis challenge, despite the left back getting the ball.

It was Stanley's third sending off in just six games, but the cautions didn't stop there.

Andy Gouck, who had earned a place in Coleman's starting eleven after a rousing display from the bench in the Reds' Bank Holiday Monday win over Scarborough, then went in the book on 28 minutes, presumably for something he said in the incident.

Any chance referee Mr Booth had of sustaining a bout of RSI had to wait until the second half, after Stanley captain Peter Cavanagh had unsettled the home side but boosted his own 10-man troops with a superbly struck free-kick just before the break.

Cavanagh was yellow carded for an innocuous challenge on the right flank, as was Rory Prendergast. But the incident which seemingly angered Coleman more than any other was Tamworth's penalty and the build-up to Gary Setchell's late, late equaliser.

Lutel James, who had been largely left to roam alone up front as strike partner Paul Mullin provided cover in defence as Stanley battled bravely with their one-man deficit, picked the ball up in midfield but his forward run was blocked.

Appeals for an obstruction were ignored and Tamworth took the ball forward once more. Dave Robinson broke into the box, Robbie Williams closed him down quickly, Robinson went to ground and the referee pointed to the spot.

It was a lifeline for the Lambs after 90 minutes of profligacy and a chance to spare their blushes after failing to get the better of Stanley, despite a host of chances which brought the best out of goalkeeper Jon Kennedy.

For the first time in the match, Kennedy was sent the wrong way as Setchell blasted the ball to the right.

Tamworth were delirious, Stanley were deflated after the chance to earn their first away win of the season had been lost so controversially.

"I'm sick to my stomach," Coleman said.

"Sometimes you've just got to take it on the chin, but you can't paper over two ludicrous decisions.

"The one at the end of the match defies belief. All of their players admitted it wasn't a penalty. The fourth official said he'd got it wrong.

"It's absolutely disgusting. Everyone in the ground knows it wasn't a penalty."

The referee's late decision appeared to be an act of sympathy for last season's Dr Martens League champions, who had in some instances been wasteful in front of goal, in others denied by an inspired Kennedy.

In an open first half, Stanley recorded the first shot on target, with Gouck's cheeky backheel rolling straight to goalkeeper Phil Whitehead.

At the opposite end, Keith Scott rose unmarked to thump a header straight at Stanley's former Sunderland stopper.

Gouck went close again, after James had been caught in two minds and looped the ball over the bar, and would have had valid claims for a penalty after being flattened by Matt Fisher.

Scott wasted a one-on-one with Kennedy, then Williams was penalised for winning the ball in a challenge with lively forward Scott Rickards. Justice was served, however, when captain Mark Cooper rattled the crossbar and Stanley cleared.

Cavanagh had to be alert to clear Brett Darby's low drive off the line a minute before the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Kennedy then made a brave double block as Scott twice hit the keeper's legs after beating Jonathan Smith for pace.

The crossbar was reverberating once more, this time from Paul Powell's effort.

But, against the run of play, Stanley had enough in their locker to take the lead after the referee, for a change, looked kindly on the visitors.

In true Cavanagh style, the Stanley skipper picked his spot and rifled the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Kennedy was less busy in the second half, although he was still alert as Robinson drove the ball through a sea of bodies from the edge of the box, gobbling it up at the second attempt.

Prendergast went close to sealing it for Stanley with three minutes to go. Mullin tried to steer his well-taken free kick past Whitehead but couldn't get a touch and the keeper parried.

Tamworth took the ball to the opposite end, James was fouled for Stanley but the foul wasn't given. The rest is history.

Things turned sour for Setchell, who had been booked for tripping James on 86 minutes, as he was sent off for grabbing substitute Andy Procter by the throat in the fifth minute of stoppage time. But, by then, the damage had been done.

Coleman admitted Stanley would have accepted a point at half-time. Holding on for so long before having to settle for that was particularly galling, but if they can show the same fighting spirit that elusive away win won't be far away.

TAMWORTH 1

Setchell 90 pen

STANLEY 1

Cavanagh 45

Lamb Ground. Att: 1215