Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson's fury at officials after late blow at Rochdale

Darren Ferguson has questioned whether match officials understand the ramifications of their decisions following Rovers' late disappointment at Rochdale.
Darren Ferguson confronted referee Darren Bond after the gameDarren Ferguson confronted referee Darren Bond after the game
Darren Ferguson confronted referee Darren Bond after the game

Craig Alcock was controversially sent off for two bookable offences before Rochdale made it 2-2 in the 97th minute after five minutes of added time was called.

It left Rovers counting the cost once again as they remained four points from safety in League One with only six games left to play.

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And there was no doubting the level of Ferguson’s fury after the game.

“I wonder at times if the officials realise what we’re playing for,” he told The Star.

“We’re playing to stay in League One. The ramifications of that if we go down are huge for everyone at the football club, not just the players and myself.”

Ferguson felt particularly aggrieved over the incident which led to Alcock’s first booking.

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The defender collided with Rochdale substitute Peter Vincenti and there seemed some confusion among the officials over what had happened.

Ferguson said: “It’s a disgraceful challenge on my player.

“So I asked the fourth official whose foul it was. He says it’s ours. I ask if he’s told the referee and he said no.

“So I ask if he’s going to tell him and he said yes.

“The next thing the referee has booked my player. He never told the referee.

“We’re fighting for our lives here and you’re getting nonsense like that.

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“I don’t understand this fourth official thing. He’s there for a reason.

“It’s not excuses. It’s absolute nonsense.”

Rovers had led 2-1 in the game after goals from Mitchell Lund and Andy Butler overturned Rochdale’s lead through Callum Camps.

But just when Rovers thought they had secured a first win since January 3, Niall Canavan grabbed the equaliser.