Central Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery is left furious after dubious refereeing decisions in his team's loss to Melbourne City

Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery says two controversial refereeing decisions that cost the Mariners dearly against Melbourne City — accompanied by farcically lengthy VAR deliberations — have set the A-League Men competition back.

Refereeing and the VAR again came under the spotlight after the Mariners were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty in the 87th minute. Mariners were trailing 2-3 when Mathew Leckie stepped on Lewis Miller's foot.

That followed Melbourne City's first-half equaliser coming via a contentious penalty call against Kye Rowles, who appeared to initially foul Marco Tilio outside the box, but was ruled to have done so in the area.

On both occasions, referee Shaun Evans consulted with VAR Kris Griffiths-Jones, then spent several minutes reviewing footage before upholding his original decisions.

«It's tough for referees to make calls, the game is so quick,» Montgomery said.

«But, when you have VAR and I'm looking at the screen and I can see [the Miller incident is] a penalty, and I can see that the first one is outside the box. Maybe they need to get together and really have a look at it.

»I think it's sad for the game. I think the game has been ruined tonight. I think it's a spectacle that Australian football didn't need.

«There [are] a lot of positives here. It's been a transition with everything that's gone on, but nights like tonight really set the competition back and it's sad for football.»

Miller, on the bench after Leckie's challenge left him with a gash on his foot, could be seen saying «what is the point of VAR?» on Paramount+ coverage when Evans upheld the late decision.

Montgomery could also be heard talking to officials after the second incident, describing it as «an embarrassment to the