Referee was arrogant in Tamworth defeat, claims Harrogate Town boss Weaver

Buonassisi sent-off Town midfielder Lloyd Kerry for two bookable offences against his former club and awarded the match-winning penalty to Tamworth, which Elliott Durrell slotted home.

Despite not having any qualms with the crucial penalty decision, Weaver branded the referee arrogant and said a complaint would be lodged with the FA.

Weaver said: "He doesn't think he ever needs to review his performance. It’s a bit of a worry when he is refereeing at this level.

"He didn't want to see the teams before the game and he was telling the players to get lost in the worst kind of language. That really isn't part of the FA’s respect campaign.

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"I found it flabbergasting that he sent off Lloyd Kerry in the way that he did. Both yellows were very harsh and even members of Tamworth’s set up were very confused."

The Town boss approached the referee to express his grievances at full-time but was rebuffed.

Weaver said: "I don’t think he accepted the fact I wanted to have a word with him in the right manner.

"I said I would like a video of the game and I that I accepted not every decision I made was right but I asked if he would review his own game. He just said, ‘no, I don’t think I need to’."

The game’s decisive moment came shortly after the hour mark when a misplaced pass by Kerry was played into Town’s penalty area and Lewis Turner brought down Curtis Strong.

Durrell made no mistake in beating Peter Crook from 12 yards as he ended Town’s run of more than 450 minutes without conceding.

The defeat leaves second placed Town nine points adrift of Solihull Moors with one game in hand.

Battling AFC Telford are Harrogate’s next assignment at the CNG Stadium this Saturday.

Town thumped Telford 4-0 in September but the Midlanders have since climbed out of the bottom three with a run of three wins from their last four games, including a narrow defeat at leaders Solihull.

Weaver may introduce a new striker to the club in time for the fixture, with the boss eyeing a loan deal. Dominic Knowles is also in contention after making his return to action as a substitute against Tamworth.

Weaver added: "It’s sure to be a tougher game than it was at their place. They have found a way of winning."

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