Town boss Paul Lambert slammed the performance of referee Kevin Johnson following the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Lincoln, the official having awarded the Imps a controversial second-half spot-kick, which was converted by League One top scorer Jorge Grant. Lambert was sent off for remonstrating after the final whistle, Jon Nolan having been dismissed for a wild lunge in injury time.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in a game of football in all my time,” Lambert said. “I think whoever is the head of the referees should look at that. That was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like that in all my time in football. But they walk away from here, no issues.

“There were two clear fouls on Teddy Bishop [in the run-up to the penalty incident], 100 per cent. Incredible decisions, they were flabbergasting. But he gets in his car and walks away.”

The Town players had shown their frustrations with referee Johnson, who coincidentally refereed the first FA Cup tie between the teams last season, in the first half and Lambert says it wasn’t just the penalty incident which irked him.

“He was dreadful. Dreadful,” he said. “As I’ve said before, it’s professional football. That standard’s not acceptable. We never lost to Lincoln, we lost to the guy in the middle, I don’t know his name. I just think he was dreadful.”

Asked if he regretted his remonstrations and whether his criticisms went over the top, he said: “No, because it was true. It’s true. We get criticised for a lot of things, so should they.”

Does he get to have his say? “I’ll be phoning Mike Jones [the national group director of the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited)], I’ll definitely be phoning him because that was unacceptable.”

Was there any explanation from the referee? “The usual, an absolutely brilliant sign of arrogance. It’s wrong.”

Quizzed on whether Toto Nsiala was rash to make the challenge that led to the penalty, the Town manager said: “I’ve just seen it again. Toto’s used his strength against a young kid [Brennan Johnson], he’s used his arm. It’s just body strength. If you’ve giving fouls for that, you’d give fouls everywhere on the pitch.”

Turning away from the controversies and reflecting on the performance overall, Lambert was delighted with his team’s display.

“Brilliant, really happy with them, really, really happy,” he said. “We’re a right good side, you saw Lincoln’s reaction, they’re jumping with joy when they beat us. And we’ve still got to play them again.

“The way we’re playing is really, really good. Unbelievable football. I’m really happy with how we’re dominating games, so let’s see what happens.”

He added: “You lose games, but the way we played today, I’m so happy for them, to play that way was great. One, two-touch football, the possession of the ball, we were creating chances, the dominance of the game, we can’t ask for any more.”

Did Town test the Lincoln keeper enough? “That was the only thing you’d say with that. We should have pulled the trigger earlier with a lot of things. We had some good chances to do it but that’ll come. They sat really deep against us. There’s a long, long way to go.”

Nolan was red-carded for a frustrated tackle on Harry Anderson and Lambert could understand how his midfielder was feeling.

“Yes, but I understand that because Nolo was done here on the halfway line,” he said. “I won’t be taken any disciplinary action against him because of the occasion and the frustration has boiled over but there’s only one person that caused that.”

Nolan will now face a three-match suspension - Lambert himself will be subject to a touchline ban - leaving the Blues short of midfield options with Cole Skuse (knee) and Flynn Downes (knee) out for a couple of months and Alan Judge having missed today’s match with a more minor niggle.

“Judgey we couldn’t take a risk with him because of his hamstring but hopefully he’ll be OK for Tuesday.,” Lambert said.

Brett McGavin could also come into contention for a place in matchday squads and perhaps a place on the bench.

The 20-year-old wasn’t allowed out on loan before the window closed just over a week ago due to the number of central midfield injuries.

“We couldn’t really with the numbers that are out,” Lambert said. “We just have to get on with it.”

Lambert was pleased with Jack Lankester’s performance, the forward having made his first league start since January 2019.

“He did really well, it’s the after effects going forward now with Jack, seeing how he feels and how he recovers but performance-wise he was excellent,” he added.

He was also delighted with Oli Hawkins’s display: “We lost but performance-wise, I can’t ask for any more. Brilliant, really good.”

Last season Town made an impressive start and hit the top of the table before falling to back-to-back defeats which led to a significant slump.

Asked whether he had a message to fans worried that history might repeat itself this season, Lambert insisted: “We’re playing totally different, we’re a totally different team from last year. The way they’re playing, the confidence they’ve got there, no problem.

“We’ll just keep playing, don’t change because the way we’re dominating games, you tend to find when you start to dominate the ball you win more games than not.”

Photo: TWTD

TimmyH added 19:30 - Oct 24 We pass the ball around quicker but with little end product, there seems a void between Bishop/Edwards/Dozzell/Nolan and who should be on the end of what they do...1 goal from a striker so far sums this up. Also feel we're not organised well enough to get out of this league. Lambert saying we played well today is just misleading, I bet he's starting to chew his fingers again...at least he's now got the might of Gillingham and Crewe next up at home to save his bacon.

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AlfBuksh added 19:33 - Oct 24 "He gets in his car and walks away". I look forward to Lamberts comments more than the games these days!
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BrazilItAint added 19:43 - Oct 24 Deluded. What game was he watching. May have had a lot of possession but that was between our worst three ball players Holy, Toto & Wilson. How about getting the ball to Bish, Lankester & Dozzell and let them create. And as for sideways and backwards Nolan. Let's get Dobra in so we at least pose a threat
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runningout added 19:51 - Oct 24 Lincoln are more hungry than us and like last few games v them. Seems it means a whole lot more to Lincoln, although it shouldn't when they're on a par with us right now. Should be no lousy excuse for losing. Most teams will be feeling up for it too. We couldn't cope with that last season, so not sure if the penny has truly dropped. If we do lose games our illustrious coach should lose better, even if the ref was pants. If I remember he was useless in FA Cup game v the imps. We luckily won that so the whingeing was missing.

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Pencilpete added 19:51 - Oct 24 Sorry but Paul Lambert's idea of brilliant and mine are completely different. We created next to nothing, we didn't test their keeper at all and yes we "knocked it around" but passing it around in defence at a walking pace when we are 1-0 down in stoppage time isnt great to watch. Also, Toto Nsiala is an accident waiting to happen, he gave away a penalty in midweek and he gave one away today and that goes on top of the God knows how many hes given away previously. Opposition managers will be telling their attackers to run at him because if the get past him he will tug your shirt, pull you and bring you down. And if Lambert thinks all is well then I have that terrible sinking feeling

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jayessess added 19:55 - Oct 24 In his long career as player and manager he's never seen... a mediocre team lose to a soft penalty before? Sheltered life.
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herfie added 20:04 - Oct 24 Pity about PL's dismissal - deprives us of the return of touchline hostilities between Steve Evans and our own deluded manager! Chances are the sight of Evans shaking PL warmly by the throat would have provided the evening's highlight! As for today ...........sound and fury covering some gaping shortcomings, which anyone with a basic football knowledge could recognise. Yes, it's early days and injury absences should not be downplayed, but there remains some very basic issues that need to be addressed - both on and off the pitch.

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md_blue added 20:06 - Oct 24 The referee was poor but it was not until the penalty was scored that Town moved the ball around with pace. After the debacle at Donny, why weren't we on the front foot from the very start instead of waiting for 70 minutes to play?
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BettyBlue added 20:34 - Oct 24 How long do Ipswich Town fans have to wait to see some improvement in their team? What are doing all day Lambert? Playing FIFA with O'Neil? Lambert Out now. While there is still time to get a real promotion challenge started.
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Pilgrimblue added 20:36 - Oct 24 For the last 2 years PL has failed to find where the goals are going to come from! For all our huff and puff we failed to get enough shots on target or get crosses over to Hawkins. All the other teams manage it against us whereas we lack width, too many of our team lack strength and pace. Players need to up their game as their keeper wasn't tested at any time. We're never going to win enough with PL at the helm but sadly he's deluded so wont walk!!

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bobble added 20:58 - Oct 24 dont you have to score to win ?
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happybeingblue added 21:09 - Oct 24 really starting to embarrass our wonderful club with ludicrous comments like his post match interview today,i didnt know wether to laugh or cry! just say it as it is individual errors cost us,its what all the fans are thinking who have followed this club for years and who are realists and know good football when we see it,feels like you are trying to mug us off paul! stop coming out with baloney its just sad tbh!

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alfromcol added 21:14 - Oct 24 More depressing reading most of these comments than watching the game. The only big difference between the teams, was that we had yet another clumsy tackle giving a penalty given away which resulted in the loss of the game. The stats suggest that there was little between the teams; 11 shots against 8 for Town, 4 shots on target against 2, corners 5 against 2, fouls 15 against 12 and 38% possession against 62% for Town. I agree with Lambert, we played some very good one and two touch football. Much better than anything that has been seen over the past 10/15 years.

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Cloddyseedbed added 21:30 - Oct 24 I watched that game Mr Lambert and I have no issues with the referee. The penalty was a penalty. The sending off was a sending off for Nolan. Your behaviour and sending off after the game was a disgrace and sends out the wrong signals to supporters and your players. Sort your team out and yourself.
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IpswichToon added 21:48 - Oct 24 On Tuesday we were beaten by a better team, at least on the day. Today we were somewhat robbed. There's no way Lincoln done enough to win the game, especially in that 2nd half. We completely shut them out, had the better of the chances, not that there were many. Lincoln, as they seem to keep doing this season, come away with 3 points after being 2nd best. Oh well, we move on. I'm confident we'll carry on being competitive. On to the next game.

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SickParrot added 22:08 - Oct 24 Match stats suggest that we may have been a bit unlucky not to get a point but we won't win many games if we only have 2 shots on target. How can the football be brilliant if it doesn't have an end product? You can tell when PL is talking bulls**t because he opens his mouth.
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LWNR2013 added 22:18 - Oct 24 One dodgy penalty!!! It's not the end of the world. Chill. Love Toto.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 22:31 - Oct 24 https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/michael-appleton-lincoln-city-
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coolcat added 22:38 - Oct 24 I agree alfromcol. There was little between the teams. Apart from the penalty I thought 0-0 would have been a fair result overall.
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alfromcol added 23:00 - Oct 24 SickParrot: "we won't win many games if we only have 2 shots on target." Peterborough had 2 away at Hull and won 2-1. As Trump would say: Fake news.
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Steelmonkey added 23:00 - Oct 24 I understand Lamberts comments, it's called supporting your players no matter what, something that some supporters can remember doing a few years back without even having to think about it. We may be in tier three but we should be entitled to the match officials being of a certain standard, this referee is amongst many of a standard that is not acceptable. Having voiced that thought, we still do not have players in the side who are capable of assuming responsibility to take a shooting opportunity when it arises, if you don't score goals then you don't deserve to win a game. I'm not saying that some teams are being taught to look for the foul and dupe the officials but that's six penalties that have been awarded to Lincoln this season already, draw your own conclusions.

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roystevensonsrocket added 23:09 - Oct 24 LwN. Well bloody said . We did well today being edged out unluckily by top of table side .why are most people on here hysterical . Don't confuse hysteria for passion
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spanishblue added 23:44 - Oct 24 Thought we were playing walking football,it's interesting listening to the oppostion commentators,pedestrian was one word followed by they're not hurting us
4

terryf added 07:28 - Oct 25 Unfortunately doing all the pretty stuff in your own half doesn't put the ball in the opposition's net! It seems that the Manager has seen a different game to the rest of us. Most of us already knew that Nsiala is an accident waiting to happen. If the guy is moving away from goal and there is ample cover why not just shepherd him away from goal. Surely Nsiala must realise that any player is just waiting for the slightest contact to go down and give the ref an easy call for a penalty. So what the hell is Lambert saying to his players. Trying to defend Nsiala's challenge and Nolan's sending off. Both looked pretty rash challenges to me and totally unnecessary. Its cost us big time!!

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bernie added 07:32 - Oct 25 Paul Lambert what the bloody hell are you on about , many times after listening to you I'm am bemused and confused!! Who are you trying to kid when you repeat yourself time and time again like for example we're playing really really really good football , what a load of boll–k- . You do seem to make yourself look very very very silly . Yes we have played some decent staff but no where enough and when we do it's against poor opposition. Come on Lambert admit it you're out of your depth. Now people will say come on we are forth and we're been on a good run , I get that but most fans have to admit that we always seem to come up short. I do wonder if the players would respect a chambo - skuse management team for the rest of the season !! ?

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