Barton says ref’s as bad as he’s seen

JOEY Barton branded the performances of referee Brett Huxtable and his fellow officials as as bad as any he had seen in his entire career.

The Fleetwood boss spoke calmly enough after being redcarded himself, along with striker Ched Evans, in a match that also saw 11 players booked, including Rovers substitute Stefan Payne, who didn’t go on.

To make matters worse for Barton, his side lost to James Clarke’s goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

Barton said: “Today’s officiating team were as bad as any I have come across in all my time in the game, including junior football.

“Brett needs to have a serious look at his decision-making process. The Bristol Rovers staff we spoke to before the game were concerned because he has been here before and caused havoc.

“We needed a good referee to control what was a very good game of football and, unfortunately, we didn’t get it.

“I have seen a replay of the Ched Evans sending-off and felt it was a foul on him. Their centreback has ducked under him to shepherd him away from the ball and they have both ended on their backs. We must appeal because it was a very unjust decision.”

Evans, already booked, received a straight red for the aerial challenge on Tom Lockyer.

Barton confirmed that he too had been banished after the ugly melee involving both sets of players and staff following Clarke’s winner, which also saw Payne booked.

Ashley Hunter fired Fleetwood in front with a 28th-minute curler, only for Gavin Reilly to net the equaliser with a stooping header after Alex Rodman had nodded on a 36th-minute corner.

Rovers’ late pressure was rewarded when Clarke shot home from eight yards and caretaker-manager Graham Coughlan was relieved as well as delighted.

He said: “We had some good fortune, probably with the sending-off, and in scoring the late winner.

“But there have been many other games this season in which the opposite has been the case.

“I thought Evans’ challenge on Tom Lockyer was an honest one and if it were up to me the game would be more physical because I like that side of it.”