Joey Barton was left with a sour taste despite Bristol Rovers' 2-0 win over Crystal Palace under-21s at the Mem in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, angered by the decision to dismiss Glenn Whelan in the closing stages.
Whelan received a straight red card following a fracas caused by a cynical foul by Kofi Balmer on Trevor Clarke seven minutes from time. The Rovers defender was running clear on the counter-attack but he was yanked to the ground by his collar.
A melee ensued and after deliberating with his assistants, Balmer was shown a yellow card by referee James Oldham and Whelan saw a straight red. It was unclear what the Irishman was deemed to have done in real-time, but Barton confirmed Mr Oldham said he made contact with a Palace player's face.
