Rovers let Bury score in bizarre conclusion

DONCASTER Rovers manager Paul Dickov believes his side did the right thing in injury time by letting Bury walk the ball into the net after the match ended in controversy.

Harry Forrester accidentally fired over Christian Walton after Bury sportingly played the ball out and Dickov believed letting Bury’s Leon Clarke score was the right thing to do in the name of the club.

Forrester’s effort came at the end of a second-half which Dickov believes should have seen at least one penalty awarded for his side after challenges on James Coppinger and Nathan Tyson.

But he had no qualms about letting the opposition score and coming away with a point.

“That’s probably the best strike Harry Forrester has had all game!

“He’s asked me what I wanted him to do and I said knock it back to the goalkeeper or out for a goal kick,” said Dickov.

“I just felt the right thing to do in the fantastic name of Doncaster Rovers, and Bury, was to let them score.

“The challenge on James Coppinger is borderline whether it’s in the box or not, but it’s a definite foul.

“The one on Tyson is a blatant penalty, why would he fall down clean through on goal when he’s six yards out with minutes to go?

The game was an end-to-end contest throughout at the Keepmoat Stadium with both teams having chances to edge in front.

Bury’s Leon Clarke saw a low shot saved by Thorsten Stuckmann before Doncaster’s Curtis Main fired wide from the edge of the area.

Bury came flying out of the blocks in the second half and had three good chances in the opening five minutes with Leon Clarke going close twice while Peter Clarke had a shot cleared off the line.

The home side had two penalty shouts turned down towards the end of the second half before the controversial incident in injury time.

Bury had played the ball out following an injury and Forrester returned the ball, accidentally lobbing Walton in the process before Leon Clarke walked the ball into the net to equalise.

Bury boss David Flitcroft was left disappointed with the decision made by the officials, but he found time to praise his opposite number. However, he couldn’t resist a dig at the refereeing authorities.

“It doesn’t show the referee’s association in a great light,” he said.“But certainly you saw a professional person in Paul Dickov.

“For them to let Leon score, and share the points, is not only sportsmanship it shows that there is the morality in football.”