JOHN Coleman insisted football was the loser after hitting out at Stevenage and referee Russell Booth following Accrington Stanley’s play-off exit last night.

Stanley’s hopes of promotion to League One came to an end as they were beaten 1-0 at the Crown Ground, with Stevenage triumphing 3-0 on aggregate to book their place in the play-off final at Old Trafford.

The Reds ended the game with nine men after Joe Jacobson and Sean McConville were sent off in the second half but Coleman was angry that the referee allowed Stevenage to use spoiling tactics throughout the game.

“I don’t think it was a victory for football,” said the Stanley boss.

“The first half bordered on being a pantomime.

“The fourth official said, ‘You wanted a strong referee and you got it’.

“But if that’s a strong referee, it was a complete and utter pantomime in the first half.

“We knew they’d come with a game plan to spoil the game, but I can’t believe they were allowed to get away with what they got away with.

“The referee came off at half time and said, ‘All you want to do is moan, you never tried to play football’.

"But it’s hard to play football when the ball’s not in play.

“We showed more spirit tonight and I don’t think we deserved to lose the game, but you don’t always get out of life what you put in.

“But the tie was lost on Sunday. The referee isn’t the reason we’re not in the final.

"You’ve got to give Stevenage a lot of credit, they played well and I think they deserve to be in the final.

“The fans were smashing, the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic and it was just a pity we couldn’t send them home happy.”