SWINDON Town manager Phil Brown slammed the decision made by referee John Brooks to award Grimsby Town a penalty after his side lost 1-0 at home to the Mariners.

The visitors were awarded a penalty shortly before half-time after Grimsby winger Harry Cardwell escaped Ryan McGivern following an accurate through ball from the half-way line.

Cardwell was tripped by McGivern outside of Swindon’s penalty area before he fell to the ground inside Town’s 18-yard box, prompting Brooks to point to the spot.

Mitch Rose calmly converted from 12-yards to score the only goal of the game as Grimsby edged closer to surviving the drop while Town's play-off dreams ended. 

While Brown blasted the penalty decision, he admitted his team failed to show the intelligence needed to break down a defensive visiting side in the second half.

He said: “It’s a harsh decision.

“First and foremost, Mullin’s handball was the right decision.

“But I was having an ongoing conversation with the fourth official about when someone goes down easily.

“If that happens in our penalty box I’d be concerned. And then moments later it did.

“His trailing leg was a direct result of himself tripping up as oppose to my man tripping him up.

“And if truth be known it started outside the penalty box, it’s not even in the area.

“It’s a poor decision that’s won a game of football we shouldn’t have lost.

“But when you go a goal behind against any team playing survival football it’s going to be a tough day at the office.

“I’m very disappointed.

“The home supporters were there supporting us.”

Following a run of four draws and a loss Brown switched Town’s formation to three at the back as Kyle Knoyle and Matt Taylor filled roles on the wing in midfield.

Brown was pleased with the performance from his back three, but admitted his side must show more ‘know-how’ when in possession.

“I wanted the centre halves to do the basics, and to a large degree they did,” said Brown.

“Joe (Romanski) showed an old head at times which was admirable.

“I think his career’s off and running, similar to after Scott Twine making his debut.

“I asked Ryan McGivern to put his head on the ball which he did do.

“One of the changes was forced upon me with an unfortunate incident to Ollie Banks’ son before the game.

“He couldn’t get to the game in time so Amine Linganzi got the opportunity. I thought he took it.

“People are playing for contracts, I’ve got a lot of decisions to make. None more so than my own situation which will be resolved in the next two performances.

“I think when we went a goal behind that was the worst-case scenario because these guys are hanging onto their League Two status.

“Consequently, they’d be 11 men behind the ball. We didn’t have enough intelligence or know-how on the ball.

“We were undone by a poor decision in my opinion.

“I’ve had 10 minutes with the referee but I’m not going to change his mind.”