OUTRAGED Malvern director of rugby David Robins has hit out at the ‘inept’ refereeing display at Bedford Athletic in Midlands One.

The basement side produced a stunning comeback in Malvern’s final game of the season to beat the Spring Lane outfit 36-31.

But Robins believes they managed to avoid the drop because of the referee.

“That was the most abysmal and inept display of refereeing I have ever seen in all my years on the circuit,” Robins fumed.

“It wasn’t worthy of the status of a fifth team fixture, let alone a level five game.

“Our lads are devastated — they played all the rugby and can’t believe they were whistled out of a deserved victory.”

Robins added: “I feel that the pressure Bedford were under obviously helped them raise their game when staring at defeat and relegation, and that the referee was influenced by that.

“The fact that he didn’t show his face in the clubhouse after the match would seem to confirm that he was aware that his performance had been truly awful.

“We wish Bedford well and are pleased for them – they are a sociable bunch, but the defeat has left a sour taste in Malvern mouths.”