"It was all a bit panto": Warne on Colchester's late penalty winner against Dons
MK Dons head coach Paul Warne spoke after the New Year’s Day defeat to Colchester
Jack Payne’s stoppage time penalty to snatch a 1-0 win for Colchester United on New Year’s Day left a bitter taste in the mouth for MK Dons boss Paul Warne.
After a foul by Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in time added on at the end, the ex-Dons loanee slammed home from the spot to claim the win for the U’s, but it was a game that lacked quality, and on the whole a deserving winner.
The decision, eventually awarded by referee Stephen Parkinson after several seconds of deliberation, was also a bit of a bone of contention for Warne, who felt the crowd played a big part in swaying the official’s decision making.
He said: “I was a bit concerned by the crowd, I told the referee he kept giving them decisions whenever the ball was in their corner. I thought the penalty was a bit light, I’m not being a baby about it, but I’ve seen them not given, and given too.
“It was all a bit panto. There was a load of jumping around from the crowd, as no doubt I would have if it was my team. It was hugely disappointing to concede so late on and in that manner. It makes the defeat a bit uglier in your throat.”
He continued: “Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of it in a game that virtually lacked everything you’d want to watch. It wasn’t a good game of football.
“I don’t know why the pitch hadn’t been watered, it was bone dry, the ball just bounced around so no team could get their foot on it.
“We did have some good chances, but in fairness neither side did enough to win it. If that’s the case, you put the point in your top pocket.
“When you’re not at your best, you’re away from home and you get gilt-edged chances, you have to take them to win.”