Joey Barton believes the big decisions of referee Tom Reeves played a decisive role in 10-man Bristol Rovers' 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on Saturday.
The Gas manager described the feeling as "soul-destroying" as he reflected on a contest that swung on a pair of first-half calls. The first was to allow Regan Poole's 14th-minute header despite James Connolly being left on the deck in the box, with Barton certain his defender had been fouled.
Three minutes before the break, the challenge was made even more difficult for the Gas when Ryan Loft was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after colliding with goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, but Rovers intend to appeal and believe the footage supports their case.
