David Artell admits that his veteran defender Nicky Hunt got away with one against Colchester United on Tuesday night. Hunt got involved with the Colchester United substitute Theo Robinson in stoppage time and their clash resulted in a red card for Robinson, a caution for Hunt and a penalty for the U’s.
Thankfully, the agile Will Jaaskelainen saved the spot kick from Frank Nouble to preserve a deserved point.
Artell says that the officials made the correct decision and the Hunt should have known better than to give the referee a chance to award a penalty.
Artell told crewealex.net: “The two of them have clashed. The forward has had a little dig at Hunty and he has reaction with a push and then the player has turned into Mike Tyson.
“I’ve seen it back from two or three different angles and I must say the officials probably got it right. It was a brave decision to make, to award a penalty in the 94th minute against the home team who are top of the league. They deserve credit for that.
“I am not sure they knew the exact intent of Hunty’s push, I think it was more for him to get some space away from him but they were not to know the reaction of the Colchester lad. I don’t really know but what I do know is that Hunty was a bit silly because he has given the referee the opportunity to give a penalty.
“It can’t happen and Nicky knows that.
“A draw was a fair result and Will’s brilliance from the penalty got him off the hook. “