Manager David Hodgson labelled referee Jonathan Moss inept after Robbie Stockdale's Darlington debut almost ended in disaster.

Daryl McMahon's high and late challenge in the closing stages of the 1-0 defeat left the Redcar-born right-back grounded beside the Darlington dugout for several minutes.

The noise of McMahon's boot connecting with Stockdale's shin pad could be heard from a distance but the Orient midfielder went unpunished.

And, somewhat understandably, Hodgson was not happy.

"He was an inept referee," blasted Hodgson.

"It was an extremely one-sided performance and I told him so when he came off the pitch.

"We had Matty Appleby sent off for virtually nothing, we had players booked for nothing and then their guy goes right through Robbie without winning the ball but the referee did not show him a card."

Given that he did not sign until late on Friday, Stockdale turning out for Darlington may have come as a shock to some, but Hodgson said he was chasing the right-back for several weeks.

Having failed to make an appearance for Hull City this season, the former Middlesbrough right-back has signed on loan from the Tigers and went straight into the side at Brisbane Road for his first 90 minutes of the season.

He showed no signs of rustiness by putting in solid afternoon's work and Hodgson was pleased with his eighth loan signing of the season.

"I had no worries about Robbie coming into the team at short notice and doing a job for us," he said.

"His reading of the game and picking up of the second balls was excellent but you're going to get that because he is a good player.

"I tried to sign him a couple of weeks ago but I got knocked back, so I tried again on Friday morning but I could not get any communication going with the relevant people at Hull.

"I could not get hold of their manager, Peter Taylor, or their chairman, who is away, so in the end I had to go straight to his agent.

"At 3pm we set up the loan, at 4pm he signed and at 4.30pm he was on his way down to the game.''

After playing the majority of his career at Premiership and Championship level, Stockdale joined Hull halfway through last season from Rotherham United but is out of contract at the end of the season and Hodgson would be interested in making the move permanent.

He said: "He is out of contract in the summer, it's whether or not he wants to join us is the key question.

"He is entitled to see what is available."

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