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Stockport County boss Dave Challinor was left seething after Leyton Orient scored an offside goal in their promotion clash. Orient forward Charlie Kelman opened the scoring in their League One semi-final first leg match with a low finish during the 2-2 draw. However, replays showed that Kelman was in an offside position when running onto the end of Omar Beckles' headed ball into the area. The goal stood, with Stockport expressing their anger at the decision when the half-time whistle blew at Brisbane Road. Manager Challinor appeared to have a stern word with referee Ben Speedie before his further criticism when speaking to Sky Sports. "That is plain and clearly four yards offside, " he said. "There could be an argument that they don't know if the player flicked it on, and that's fine. "But we've got five officials, and they couldn't come up with the right decision. They've told me they saw the flick-on, and the linesman has no idea who is playing Kelman onside. "Well, it's pretty obvious why no one is playing him onside because he's four yards offside. I have been managing for 15 years. "This is the biggest game of my career because I've never managed higher than this; that is the worst decision I have seen in 15 years. "I get it's a tough job, but they are supposed to be the best we've got, and if we can't rely on them to make those types of decisions, I don't know what we can do. " talk SPORT commentator Ian Danter told listeners after the goal: "According to our production staff back at talk SPORT towers, replays show that Kelman was not just offside but miles offside. "That's the phrase I'm hearing. We are in a VAR-free zone here in the EFL, that goal stands. " After the match, Beckles told Sky Sports: "He's [Kellyman] been class. I mentioned on Sky earlier that half of his goals have been offside. I think it's arguable that first goal was offside. " Stockport felt hard done by but fought back in the second half as Oliver Norwood scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-1. Orient defender Rarmani Edmonds-Green was penalised for a flailing arm inside the area and referee Speedie awarded the spot-kick. The visitors swiftly completed the turnaround when Fraser Horsfall headed in at the back post with 65 minutes played. More controversy followed as Kelman went down in the area under Norwood's challenge, but nothing was given for Orient. However, Kelman made it 2-2 with two minutes left on the clock by scoring the game's second penalty. Both sides made a late surge for a winner but had to settle for a draw ahead of the second leg on Wednesday. Stockport, who are chasing an incredible fourth promotion in seven seasons, finished third in League One whilst Orient were sixth. Wycombe Wanderers and Charlton Athletic contest the other League One play-off semi-final first leg on Sunday, live on talk SPORT 2. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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