DEAN KEATES slammed the performance of referee Sunny Gill after a controversial penalty cost Wrexham victory against Eastleigh.

Kwame Thomas gave the Reds the lead against the run of play in first half injury time but Gill took centre-stage after the break.

The official awarded Eastleigh a hotly contested spot-kick for an alleged high foot by Tyler French who didn't even appear to make contact.

The Spitfires converted the penalty and Wrexham finished the game with 10-men when debutant French was sent off following a melee between both sets of players.

"It is not controversial, an absolute embarrassment of a performance by the official," said Keates regarding the penalty decision.

"When you have got both dugouts agreeing on everything, he is an absolute shambles.

"He has given a penalty, numerous free-kicks and he has caused a melee in the middle of the park with the players squaring up when the kid has just dived on the floor.

"The reaction is on the back end of what he gives - it is not a free-kick.

"Both benches were saying to the fourth official 'help him out', and saying it to the linesman, but he was no better. No-where near good enough."

While Keates maintains French didn't make contract for the penalty, the Reds boss also says it wasn't a high foot because of how low the Eastleigh player's head was.

"For the penalty, I have no idea what he has seen," said Keates.

"He is basically saying now, any ball that goes into the box you are allowed to stoop as low as you want and put you head by somebody's foot, and you are going to get a penalty.

"And there is no contact."

Keates was gutted that his players, who won 2-0 at King's Lynn on Saturday, did not have a second successive away win to show for their efforts.

"I am devastated for the players," said Keates.

"First half we had the wind, we didn't really create too much and they had two set-plays; a great save off Christian Dibble and we cleared one off the line.

"A great ball off Jordan Davies and Kwame - unbelievable control and technique - brought it on the inside and slotted it away on the stroke of half-time.

"We played better second half but that was an absolute embarrassment, a shambles of a performance, and I have no doubt nothing will get done.

"We gave seen bad performances this season but you still see officials and referees rock up to the next game."