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Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm reveals half-time chat with referee in Dulwich FA Cup exit

Tonbridge crashed out of the FA Cup in controversial circumstances on Saturday.

A clear foul by Jay May on James Folkes went unpunished as National South side Dulwich scored their second goal in a 3-1 win.

To add insult to injury, Angels had Folkes sent off for his protests even though he was facing away from referee Dean Skipper and shouting towards manager Steve McKimm.

Tonbridge manager Steve McKimm Picture: Chris Davey
Tonbridge manager Steve McKimm Picture: Chris Davey

The Angels boss spoke to Skipper at half-time and says the referee gave a different account.

McKimm said: "The referee told me at half-time he was going to let it go but because he'd said it to his face he decided to give a red card.

"You can see on the video he wasn't looking at him, he was looking in my direction.

"The referee was very abrupt with me, he raised his voice and said he was going to report me for going into his room. I then pointed out he invited me in.

"He retracted that afterwards when he spoke to my secretary and said he wouldn't be reporting me. It was a catalogue of errors."

Ten-man Tonbridge, who play a level below Dulwich in the Bostik Premier, gave an excellent account of themselves in the second qualifying round.

Sonny Miles pulled a goal back early in the second half but Dulwich added a late third while Angels were pushing for a leveller.

McKimm said: "The players were tremendous - I felt honoured to be their manager.

"Dulwich had some chances, too, but we played some lovely football and on another day it would have been 2-2.

"To go out the way we did is a bitter pill to swallow."

Tonbridge entertain mid-table Bishop's Stortford at Longmead on Saturday.

The visitors have prolific ex-Norwich striker Jamie Cureton in temporary charge following Adam Flint's resignation.

McKimm, his side five points clear at the top, said: "It can be harder playing a team when the manager's gone because the new boss might be watching and the players up their game because they want to stay at the club.

"It might be that they stick with Jamie Cureton and then the players will want to impress him."

Tonbridge visit Kingstonian on Wednesday.

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