STEVE Parkin blasted the officials at Field Mill on Saturday, after seeing his side denied a point by an awful decision in the dying minutes.

Paul Tait's header was bound for the back of the net before Mansfield midfielder Tom Curtis handled on the goal line to prevent Dale grabbing a richly-deserved equaliser.

And the Rochdale boss was fuming after the final whistle as he waited to see referee Jarnall Singh for an explanation.

"Games turn on decisions and referees are paid to make the most important ones," he said. "If that wasn't a penalty, I've never seen one before in my life.

"I want to see the referee and get the officials' interpretation of the incident.

"Even people who work here, who I've known for years, joked that Curtis took the lace out of the ball.

"I don't know why, when everybody in the stadium saw it, the officials didn't. It's just not good enough.

"Mansfield were at home and had got the goal. I just felt neither the linesman nor the referee had the strength to give the penalty.

"I'm sick of taking good things out of games, I'd rather have some points," he continued. "We conceded a late goal last week and one here today.

"Today's goal came when we were in possession up the Mansfield end and I've told the players they need to be more aware. Time is running out - if we get a goal fine, but if we don't that's better than giving it away."

One bright spot for Dale fans was Parkin's switch to a 4-4-2 formation 20 minutes from the end. Leighton McGivern joined Grant Holt up front and should have scored with his first touch, instead firing against the legs of Stags keeper Kevin Pilkington.

"I was pondering about playing 4-4-2 all last evening, but I felt it was important we stayed nice and solid, which we did. It's just disappointing, after making the switch, to concede a goal when we are in good possession down the other end," said Parkin.

But the manager is still confident his side can make their way up the table over the next few weeks.

"We are a better team than we were last season and everyone we've played, with the exception of Bury, we've given a game," he said.

"We need to get a couple of results now. It's no good working our socks off and coming away with nothing."

• FULL-BACK Tony Gallimore, who missed the game at Mansfield through illness, should return for Saturday's visit of basement side Notts County.

• STEVE Parkin faces the questions of the faithful on Thursday night when he is the star attraction at the Dale Supporters' Trust Fans Forum.

The manager will be joined by other club officials at the event, which starts at 8pm in the Motorama Lounge.

Admission is free to Trust members, on production of this season's membership card. Non-members will be charged '2 entry, but can join on the night to gain free admission.

Trust membership costs '5 per season. For further details visit www.daletrust.co.uk.

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