Alton manager Kevin Adair was left frustrated with the referee’s performance after his side exited the Aldershot Senior Cup against Knaphill.

The Brewers drew 1-1 at home to Knaphill in Saturday’s second-round tie, before losing 4-1 on penalties.

The hosts took the lead in the 54th minute through Jack Carrod’s own goal, before Daryl Cooper-Smith’s 88th-minute equaliser took the tie to penalties.

The Knappers then held their nerve from the spot to book their place in the next round.

Adair was pleased with his side’s performance but was fuming after the match with the referee’s display, after a number of head injuries during the 90 minutes.

“It was a disgraceful performance from the referee – he was terrible,” said Adair.

“He is not up to the level. He spent nearly all the game in the middle of the pitch.

“There's been a clear elbow that everyone in the ground has seen and he's 70 yards away from it.

“There's been four head injuries and he's not even called the physio on.

“We've played really well and it's our own fault we haven't won the game. We should have finished our chances.

“We've missed big chances in the first half but it's difficult to get players to show respect when there's a bloke in the middle who is nowhere near the level. He wasn’t able to keep up with the game.

“How are people still refereeing when they're clearly not able to keep up with the game?

“You can't be 70 yards away from the ball. He’s either not fit enough or doesn't know how to referee.

“I've got to look at the things we've done. We've dominated the game and created chances.

“The goal we conceded is poor from us. It shouldn't have been a goal kick, but then we've got to deal with it.

“We've got the whole pitch to deal with it – we need to be better there.

“We've asked for attitude and desire from our group, and we're getting that.

“We need to be clinical – goals win games and we don't score enough of them.

“The players have done what they were asked to do. We look together as a unit. We look like we care.

“It’s my job to take away the disappointment, keep looking at the positives and work out how we can get better and maintain the level we have started reaching in the past few weeks.

“Something's got to break for us but we've got to make our own luck. We'll keep plugging away.”