Football fans expressed outrage following the 2-2 draw in the League One play-off semi-final between Leyton Orient and Stockport, a match significantly affected by a highly questionable offside decision.
Charlie Kelman put Orient ahead in the first half with what appeared to be his 26th goal of the season, despite replays suggesting he was clearly in an offside position.
Kelman capitalised on a loose header in the penalty area, giving his team a 1-0 lead going into half-time.
However, a significant distance separated the 23-year-old forward from the last Stockport defender at the moment Omar Beckles headed the ball on.
Beckles rose to flick on a long ball from Sean Clare aimed towards the box.
While Kelman was initially onside from the ball played by Clare, he was unmistakably offside after Beckles` attempted flick-on.
Supporters were certain Beckles had touched the ball and quickly voiced their anger on social media.
One fan commented: “You could fit a tank in that gap!”
Another sarcastically asked: “@Specsavers, do you have a job opening for this linesman?”
A third simply stated: “It`s terrible, absolutely terrible”.
And a fourth remarked: “While I dislike VAR, officiating this poor makes you think we might actually need it”.
It wasn`t only the fans who were angry; the Stockport players were equally incensed.
They immediately surrounded referee Benjamin Speedie to protest the decision.
Stockport manager Dave Challinor was also seen confronting the official in the tunnel at half-time.
Unfortunately for Stockport, their protests did not change the referee`s mind.
And without VAR available in the play-off semi-finals, the decision could not be reviewed or overturned.
However, Stockport managed to quickly overcome the setback themselves.
Second-half goals from Oliver Norwood and Fraser Horsfall put Stockport 2-1 ahead at Brisbane Road.
However, Horsfall`s fortunes reversed when he conceded a penalty for handball in the box in the 87th minute, allowing Leyton Orient to level the score. Kelman converted the spot-kick for his second goal.
Reflecting on the disputed opening goal after the match, Beckles commented: “The beauty of the EFL is the absence of VAR, which allows for human error. That`s what makes it unique.”
