The official decided Alan O'Hare had fouled Wilfried Domoraud and the Cards netted the penalty and hung on to what they had in a poor game to win 1-0.

• Mansfield Town 0 Woking 1

But no-one in the ground, not even the Woking players, appealed and McEwan said: "The penalty decision was just unbelievable and it's very, very tough to take.

"I went in to see the referee and see what his version was, but he felt he was right and you can't argue with that.

"But 2,500 people can't be wrong. That's what happens at this level.

"All we can do now is lick our wounds and look to put it right at Stevenage on Tuesday.

"The players in that dressing room are hurting. This group have never lost at home before. And it was baffling to lose the game in the manner we did.

"No excuses - we didn't play as well as we can do, particularly in the first half. But we showed a better tempo after the break and went after them.

"They didn't have a shot at us apart from the penalty and we threw the kitchen sink at them. To be fair to Woking, they have had some decent results and came here with a game plan.

"It was one way traffic second half and my neck was stiff from just looking the one way.

"The wind spoiled the game too, though that is not an excuse and we did have it second half which helped us.

"But going forward we just didn't piece it together at times and wasted some set pieces opportunities with poor delivery."

Stags debutant, defender Max Chanot, on loan from Sheffield United won the match of the award for his terrific display despite the defeat.

When asked about the controversial penalty decision, he told mansfieldtown.net: "The referee is the boss on the pitch.

"It was my first start and I was very happy with my man of the match award, although I'll give it to my parents as I don't drink."

It was Woking's first away win and third 1-0 success on the trot under new boss Phil Gilchrist, who told Chad: "We knew it was going to be a hard place to come so we are delighted.

"I had a reputation for 1-0 wins from my West Brom days so I get used to it. But I think some were pulling their hair out and having heart attacks!

"Mansfield bombarded us at times and had the wind behind them. The conditions were horrible and it was not a great spectacle.

"But we did try to play when we could and we battled hard near the end and got the result we probably deserved.

"I never thought I would say this as a manager but it really was difficult to see the penalty incident. I felt it was a foul though so if it was in the box then it's a penalty.

"Maybe we've been given one. I don't know. But we'll take it as there will be others we don't get this season and that was out first this season.

"It gave us something to hold onto and my boys were magnificent today.

"It showed out team spirit near the end when both my wingers were in the box getting headers away."