ALAN POOK lambasted the referee after a defeat which could mean Worthing playing away from home in the play-offs.

The Rebels are now fifth and in the final play-off place after a 2-1 defeat at home to in-form Croydon Athletic.

Unless they can climb two places after next week’s final set of fixtures, Worthing will be away from home in their one-legged play-off semi-final.

They suffered only their second defeat in nine games after referee Shaun Scott had an afternoon to forget.

The match official harshly sent off Rebels defender Will Jenkins in first-half stoppage time, failed to show a red card to Croydon defender Jeremy Williams for a horrible tackle early in the second half and then denied Ross Treleaven an obvious penalty which could have made it 2-0.

Rebels joint boss Pook said: “It was the worst refereeing performance I have seen in 30 years of management. Everything he did he handicapped the game but he particularly handicapped us.

“To send Will off for what the referee said was denying the other team a clear goalscoring opportunity borders on the farcical.

“If ever there was a penalty in the game it was on Ross in the second half. He was clean through with the keeper to beat, why would he go over? That would have put us 2-0 up and a red card for their player. He didn’t book Ross so he patently didn’t think he dived.

“As for their player, it was a grotesque, over-the-top, two-footed tackle.”

Despite the loss, Worthing turned in a terrific display which left Pook purring with the play-offs just around the corner.

He said: “Croydon have lost one game in 27 and I thought we were fantastic.

“Their budget would be four or five times more than what ours is and I wouldn't swap my squad for theirs.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Ian Selley was missing for the visitors but they still included a number of players with League experience including ex-Albion loanee Ross Flitney and Robbie Ryan who played for Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup final.

The key moments of the game straddled half-time. Lee Farrell, who came into the starting line-up with five regulars out, missed two great chances, the second after Treleaven's shot had come back off a post.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, Michael Gordon’s fierce shot struck the arm of Jenkins who could hardly get out of the way but Scott brandished a red card and awarded a penalty.

Shabazz Baidoo’s weak attempt was saved by Alan Mansfield and Worthing made the most of their reprieve by going ahead on 50 minutes when Paul Kennett nodded home after a Jorge Lopes header was pushed out by Flitney.

On 68 minutes, Treleaven was clear on goal when he appeared to be chopped down by Bradley Duke only for the referee to award a free-kick to Croydon.

Within seconds the visitors were ahead when former Arsenal trainee Gordon crossed for Ben Godfrey to turn the ball home from close range.

Treleaven just failed to connect with a Brotherton cross and then Brotherton had a chance from Treleaven's long throw as Worthing pushed for a winner.

Instead, Croydon grabbed it when Gordon's low cross was not cut out and Baidoo, who started the season at Lewes, had a tap-in at the far post.

Worthing: Mansfield; Simpson, Jenkins, Axten, Demetriou; Brotherton, Akehurst (sub Booker 90), Kennett, Lopes (sub Mitchell 87); Treleaven, Farrell (sub Benn 46). Subs not used: Howell, Barton.

Croydon Athletic: Flitney; Howe, Williams, Duke, Ryan (sub Todd 59); Gordon (sub Bolarwwa 87), Murray, Waldren, Makofo (sub Clayton 59); Godfrey, Baidoo. Subs not used: Pinnock, Smith.

Referee: Shaun Scott Attendance: 487.