Tranmere Rovers manager says referee ‘spoiled’ game with Bristol Rovers after 2-2 draw

Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon has claimed that Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers was spoiled by the referee.

Rovers went two goals to the good thanks to strikes from Josh Grant and Sam Nicholson but they let slip of their lead after Callum MacDonald and Paul Glatzel pulled it back to earn a point.

The draw did nothing for Rovers as they remained in 14th whilst Tranmere moved up to 11th.

Despite his side fighting their way back in the match, he was left unhappy with the performance of the referee Tom Reeves.

“It was a tough-fought game. Two teams going at it hard and it was very physical, spoiled by the referee, to be honest, “ Mellon said to the Wirral Globe.

“I don’t think a person in the stadium would disagree with that.”

A contributing factor to Mellon’s opinion was the surprise that Alfie Kilgour remained on the pitch in the 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers.

Both Kilgour and MacDonald were yellow carded for a scuffle, but the 49-year-old claimed the Rovers defender went to strike the Tranmere left-back.

Kilgour was later replaced early in the second-half for Nick Anderton, escaping any further action.

“I’m not one for trying to get people sent off, I’m really not like that,” Mellon said.

“From where I am, the two of them have come together and that’s fair enough.

“That’s the booking part of it. “But then he goes to strike our lad in the face and still only receives a yellow card.

“Even the Bristol Rovers fans couldn’t believe it. It doesn’t matter now, the game’s finished, but the players deserve better refereeing that.

“In the end, I’m pleased to get a point but disappointed we had to come from behind because if somebody told me we’d score two goals at Bristol Rovers, I’d expect to win the game.”

Joey Barton and his side now turn their attention to the midweek trip to the Peninsula Stadium, where they will face Salford City, before a trip to the New Lawn to play Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.