Curzon Ashton player-manager Craig Mahon claimed referee Tom Parsons “got it wrong” as Sky Bet League One Mansfield took advantage of Marcus Poscha’s 16th-minute dismissal to beat the minnows 4-0.
Poscha was sent off for handling Will Evans’ shot before Lukas Akins converted the spot-kick to start the sixth-tier side’s woes.
Stephen Quinn doubled the Stags’ lead after 30 minutes, with substitutes Ben Wiles and Ben Quinn adding further salt to the wounds.
“As a club and as players we did everything to prepare for this game probably,” said Mahon.
“On the pitch, lads get judged if they make a mistake and I think the referee has got it wrong.
“If you look at the clips back and speaking to my own player, it’s a decision he has never even thought about.
“Straightaway he blew the whistle and thought ‘that’s it’.
“But I am proud of the lads for getting here and proud of the club for how we managed the whole day.”
Mansfield boss Nigel Clough had a different view of the game’s turning point.
He said: “It is handball. His arms were in front and if he doesn’t do that then it’s a goal.
“We took advantage of it without being sparkling. But the three goals we scored after the penalty were good goals.
“We have to give a lot of credit to Curzon for the way they played, first with 11 and then with 10.
“They are above the standard of the league where they are at the minute.
“It is so difficult to play with the same tempo and intent in those situations. There is a tendency to keep the ball without purpose. But we still got the four goals and the clean sheet.”
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