Pope disappointed with goal
Vale frontman Tom Pope believes Vale failed to get the rub of the green when it came to key decisions on Saturday in the 3-2 defeat to SkyBet League 1 leaders Leyton Orient
Vale’s second goal caused controversy and confusion amongst the Vale management and players after the linesman appeared to flag for offside only to put his flag down moments later.
Referee Mick Russell overruled the lineman’s call and the goal stood.
Pope reflected: “Not many people gave us much of a chance to go to the league leaders and get something from the game.
“I think we gave a very good account of ourselves and were very unlucky to come away with nothing; we deserved a point at least.
“I think if we had won the game 3-2 not many people would have argued with that.”
The controversial goal came minutes after Vale had taken the lead thanks to Louis Dodds’ diving header.
Strike Pope stresses he is not one to normally moan about referees but struggles to understand the decision.
“It’s the first time in football that I’ve noticed a referee overrule his linesman, he must have only been 10 yards away from me the ref and there was no way he would have known that he was onside, there was no way he could have overruled him.
“Then the lad that was offside blocked Chilvers off from making any sort of attempt to make a block.
“How he isn’t interfering with play I don’t know, it has cost us.
“I am not one to normally blame referees but we don’t seem to be getting the rub of the green with them at the minute,” Pope said.
Pope started upfront alongside Dodds who effectively drifted off the frontman, linking the midfield and Pope.
The striker was full of praise for Dodds who capped a fine performance with his first goal of the season.
He said: “I think everybody knows technically what Doddsy is about, he can play in numerous positions and he is always there, he never shies away from the ball and he always wants to try and play.
“He’s somebody who will run round and put the effort in for the side and he scored a well-taken header, hopefully he can score a few more.”