Carlisle United boss Chris Beech has called on officials to be more “aware” of situations which he insists are affecting his side in games this season.

The Blues head coach said he was frustrated by incidents which he claimed allowed Scunthorpe to slow down the game in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat.

Beech referred to things like the amount of time required for goal kicks and throw-ins to be taken after balls go out of play in grounds which currently do not have ball-boys.

He said it is one of the consequences of games being played behind closed doors, and something referees and assistants need to manage better if teams try to take advantage.

“That kind of thing is very frustrating for me and the players because I want us to represent Carlisle by playing football the right way,” Beech said.

It is not the first time Carlisle’s boss has raised the subject in the early weeks of the season.

He made similar remarks after the Cumbrians’ recent 3-0 defeat at Cambridge on the opening day of the League Two campaign, and felt such issues reared their head again at the Sands Venue Stadium on Saturday, when Carlisle went down to a first-half Jordan Hallam goal.

Beech said: “The ref gave a lot of soft fouls and, as I’ve said before, in the circumstances with no crowds, it’s so frustrating to go behind, dominate the game, create more chances and shots and still half to deal with three-and-a-half minute goal kicks.

“And how many minutes does a ball go out of play to take a throw?

“You can see in the second half they [Scunthorpe] didn’t have a football behind the goal for the keeper to take goal kicks.

“That means if the ball goes into the stand that it takes longer to get going again.

“I asked the fourth official several times, he ignored me, and then suggested that I kick one down to the corner. That’s what is very frustrating because it’s almost like the officials aren’t in control when it’s their job to be in control. They are our governance, so the referee has to be aware.

“If the situation was refereed it would stop, and once you’ve made the fourth official aware there’s no balls behind the goal they should make sure the play is stopped, talk to their bench and get some footballs there.

“It’s easily sorted, but they don’t. All we want is a fair and level playing field and no balls slows down the rhythm and momentum.”

Beech spoke after Carlisle went down to their fourth defeat in five competitive games so far this campaign.

They were denied a point by some inspired goalkeeping by the home side’s Rory Watson, whilst left to rue the error which allowed Hallam to claim the only goal for Neil Cox’s side.

Beech claimed a defeat such as Saturday’s was harder to take because Carlisle should have taken something from the game.

He said: “Defeat’s hard and horrible, and it’s more frustrating when you know you shouldn’t be losing.

“It’s more acceptable – even though accepting defeat is something you should never really do – when you’ve been well beaten. And we weren’t well beaten [on Saturday], so yes, it’s frustrating.”