Evans in ref rant as United fire blanks
STEVE Evans claims Rotherham are not given their fair share of decisions after referee David Webb drew the ire of the Millers boss in their shutout against Bradford.
An automatic promotion place is now a remote hope for Rotherham – eight points behind Brentford with four games to play before Saturday – as defender Kari Arnason nodded over a glorious chance at the death.
However, Evans insists a push on Alex Revell and an injury-time shout for a handball by Bantams skipper Gary Jones should have handed them two opportunities to convert from the penalty spot.
“There were a couple of big calls in that game for the referee and it was Rotherham United – we don’t get them, I’m sorry,” he said.
“There’s a double handful on the back of Alex Revell from a freekick, and I’ve watched it so I’m coming in with the benefit of knowledge.
“And if Gary Jones has not handballed it in the box in the 90th minute, we might as well just give this game of football up and go on our holidays early. It was a shocking decision again.”
The Millers had entered the match on a six-game winning streak but Bradford were first to test the waters early on, with Jon Stead hooking over a volley inside the area.
The home side then began to find their feet, Ben Pringle forcing Jon McLaughlin into action before Michael O’Connor’s free-kick deceived everyone to bounce off the post.
In the second half Adam Reach robbed Millers right-back James Tavernier but found the legs of Adam Collin with Stead unmarked in the box.
Rotherham had the best chances to clinch victory, substitute Haris Vuckic chipping over for the hosts while an unmarked Arnason crashed his header over the woodwork from six yards.
But Bantams boss Phil Parkinson believes his team could have well won it themselves after reaching the magic marker of 50 league points.
“That takes us to the 50point marker,” he said.“We have come here before and put in non-appearances, so it was important for us that we put in a professional performance and we did.
“Rotherham are a good side, but the lads were superb in the way they stuck to their game plan from the first minute to the last, and we created some good chances on the break in the second half.
“Our back four was strong, our midfield was very disciplined and Jon Stead up front did a difficult job and led the line very well and as the game went on he got better.”