Mills bemused by 'strange' decisions in Hull loss but admits Cobblers 'must do better'

Cobblers wing-back Joseph Mills says the 'strange' decisions made by referee Alan Young can't be used as an excuse for his side's 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday.

The summer signing from Forest Green Rovers admitted he was baffled by some of the calls that went against Town during the game, most notably the free-kick that led to George Honeyman's goal just before half-time.

However, although not helped by the officials, Mills knows the Cobblers have only themselves to blame for the manner of both Hull goals.

"I don't think it was a free-kick," said Mills. "I don't want to speak too much about the officials but some of the decisions made during the game were quite strange.

"That's part and parcel of football and we have to deal with it and be better, but I think we were expecting the decision to go one way and then it went the other.

"The atmosphere has a massive impact on referees and players' decisions but it's something we've got to get used to. If we had a full crowd in the ground, a lot of the stuff that went on during the game wouldn't have happened."

Manager Keith Curle was not impressed by Hull's 'squealing' in the second-half as the visitors pulled out all the tricks to deny Town any forward momentum.

"I think they showed their experience," added Mills. "They've got some top, experienced players with a lot of quality and they played the game well, especially in the second-half, and that stopped our momentum in certain patches.

"They did what they needed to do to see the game out. I would have thought they have one of the biggest budgets in the league so straightaway that gives them an advantage but they've got some good quality players and some international players.

"I'm sure their fans are expecting them to be up there and they've had a good start to the season."