‘Disgrace of a decision’ - Derby boss fuming at Bristol Rovers penalty decision

Derby County manager Paul Warne has labelled the decision to award Bristol Rovers’ late penalty a “disgrace.”

Antony Evans’ penalty deep into injury time gave Bristol Rovers a much deserved equaliser, much to the displeasure of Rams boss Paul Warne.

Lewis Gibson’s crossfield pass found Evans bearing down on goal, and Tottenham loanee Harvey White seemed to tumble, bringing down the Rovers midfielder at the same time.

Evans himself up, and after being handed the ball by John Marquis confidently stuck the ball in the top left corner, leaving goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith no chance, and counterracting David McGoldrick’s goal five minutes into the game.

When asked about referee Ollie Yates’ decision to award the Gas a penalty, Warne stated: “To get that decision is an absolute disgrace, I am beyond raging, that decision has killed our team today.”

“I shook Joey [Barton]’s hand at the end and I’m not saying they didn’t deserve a point for how they played but we limited them to very little.”

“He said to me ‘look that’s definitely not a penalty, I thought it was a foul on your player’ and it is, I’ve seen it back.”

“I’m not a bad loser but that is absolute stink, I’ve said that to the ref and he’s looking at me like smiling at me virtually and I’ve said wait until Joey comes over, he’ll tell you the same.”

After conceding after just five minutes, Barton’s side took control of the game and amassed 70% of the posession, with Derby sitting back behind the ball and looking to counter.

Chances came and went with Scott Sinclair, Harry Anderson and Ryan Loft all having guilt edged chances, however it took until the 92nd minute for the Gas to even the score through Evans’ penalty, one that came with a host of controversy.

It was a tactical switch that payed dividends, with Barton opting to switch to a three at the back for the latter stages of the second half, and with his side comfortably the better, additions of strikers Josh Coburn, Ryan Loft and Josh Coburn prompted Rovers to push forward in the hope of an equaliser.

“I thought we limited them to very little,” Warne added. “Obviously they were always going to pose a threat and they’re bringing strikers off the bench, very good League One strikers and we’ve done well and I just don’t think my lads deserve it.

“If they could score a goal fair enough and I’m not saying that they weren’t a competitive side, they were. I’ve seen it back and there’s no-one in this world that is going to say that is a penalty - it’s not.”

“For the first time I’ve said in my whole career I do feel cheated, that is an absolute disgrace of a decision.”