Town led 1-0 thanks to a Paul Gedman strike and were well on top when Keith Graydon's 35-yard piledriver was tipped onto the underside of the bar by Town keeper Jon Kennedy.

The ball crossed the line and bounced up into the roof of the net before Kennedy regained possession and bowled it out to the right.

Referee Thorley checked with his assistant in front of the South Stand who gave him the thumbs up and only after Blue Star players and officials persuaded him to did the man with the whistle finally consult with his colleague.

Then, three minutes after the ball had originally crossed the line, the goal was awarded.

"Everyone who watched the game will have been talking about that decision," said Vince.

"I thought it was a goal, but the referee didn't think so and he was quite well placed.

"The linesman progressed to the halfway line, Newcastle were celebrating and we nearly scored.

"The influence from the Blue Star personal, influenced the linesman to change his decision.

"That is very poor.

"The kid hit a great shot but it was a couple of minutes down the line and that's disappointing.

"It was a goal - I am not disputing that, but the referee didn't see it, the linesman didn't see it, get on with the game.

"I would imagine the assessor at the game would be very critical of that.

"I don't like blaming referees but there were some big errors.

"Some of the decisions against us were really poor."

Newcastle twice came from behind to level then missed a penalty before Karl Ross looked to have given them the points.

But substitute Danny Ellis bagged his first league goal for the Shaymen in the third minute of stoppage time to claim a share of the spoils.

"Our first half performance was fantastic and Newcastle were a good team as I knew they would be," said Vince.

"We should have been three or four up at half time and we are disappointed to have only drawn.

"We showed great character to come back into the game and could have won it at the end.

"The players' attitude and application was first class and I would have been disappointed if we had lost the game."

Vince suffered a major blow towards the end of the game when skipper Tony Barras was helped from the field with a recurrence of the shoulder injury that kept him out for most of October.

"He fractured his shoulder earlier this season and we think it is worse now," said Vince.

"Fingers crossed."

Town's scheduled friendly against Newcastle Town tomorrow, which was only announced on Saturday morning, has been cancelled.