Martin Paterson unable to hide disappointment as Notts County held by Bromley

Notts County manager Martin Paterson “begrudgingly” accepted a point but felt the game against League Two leaders Bromley was “taken away” from his side.

Jodi Jones’ second-half penalty cancelled out Matthew Dennis’ own goal but Paterson felt his side should have had a second spot-kick – a decision that ultimately contributed to Scott Robertson’s late red card.

Paterson said: “I’m disappointed with a draw. We conceded a goal from a set-piece that should never have been given, but once we started to find our passes we knew moments would come.

“It’s never easy to play against Bromley, they stick it on you and repeatedly ask questions, they are good at what they do. Once we scored though, I thought we were the dominant team and overall shaded the game.”

It took until the half-hour mark for the game to spring to life, Mitchell Pinnock’s free-kick finding its way home via Dennis’ head.

The Magpies were level six minutes into the second half when Jones was brought down by Marcus Ifill before smashing home the resultant spot-kick himself.

Jones nearly had a second on the hour mark but his low shot was well saved by Grant Smith.

County were reduced to 10 men when Robertson received his second yellow card for a foul on Jude Arthurs, his first having come when he was adjudged to have dived.

Paterson said: “I am still trying to understand how Scott Robertson was booked for a clear-cut penalty.

“It came at a time when I thought we looked the most likely to score. The game was there for us but it was taken away from us.

“Ultimately we take the point against the team leading the league but we take it begrudgingly.”

Andy Woodman declared his Bromley side still “bang on target” for his season’s expectations even after failing to make the numerical advantage count late on, with appeals for a penalty of their own denied.

Woodman said: “I wasn’t happy with the (County) penalty decision. I don’t think the referee gave himself time to think about the decision and then when we got a penalty call of our own, it was given the other way. It’s very frustrating, given how much is at stake.

“I thought we were excellent against a really good Notts County side – we can’t lose sight of how good Notts are. I thought we were excellent to a man, although in truth we never made the keeper make enough saves.

“We have two more games in the week and we have to make sure this point becomes a good point with performances against Cheltenham and Harrogate Town. We are still bang on target for where we need to be and we will continue to go for the title.”