Cheltenham Town: Yates fuming with 'strange decisions' at Bradford

MARK Yates admitted some of the refereeing decisions in Cheltenham Town's 3-1 defeat at Bradford City on Saturday left him fuming.

Marlon Pack put Cheltenham in front from the spot in the 29th minute and Yates felt they should have been given another penalty when Jermaine McGlashan was tripped for a second time late in the half, but nothing was given.

Almost immediately Bradford levelled from a spot-kick of their own after a handball by Sido Jombati and two more goals in the second half ended Cheltenham's unbeaten away record this season.

Yates said: "Jermaine has run from the halfway line and beaten two defenders so why would he want to go down in the box? It's a clear foul.

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"We should have been 2-0 up from a second penalty, but whether referees can't give two penalties at Bradford in front of 10,000 supporters, I don't know, but a penalty is a penalty.

"I think everyone in the ground knew it was a penalty, bar one and even the fourth official thought it should have been given."

Substitute Darryl Duffy was cautioned late on for going down in the penalty area under a challenge, with referee Brendan Malone deeming it to be 'simulation'.

"There were a lot of strange decisions and my player was tripped in the penalty area and was booked, but he has a whack on his knee," Yates said.

"I am fuming with the referee and I have had him in the past in the Conference. I can't say anything or I'll get into trouble."

Yates has put in a request to the referees' association that an official joins Cheltenham for training, which he believes will be beneficial.

Aside from feeling aggrieved at the standard of officiating, Yates said he was proud of his players' efforts at Valley Parade.

"We had to put up with a lot and we stood up to it," he said. "I thought we were outstanding because they are a very good team and we were defending manfully until a moment of madness from Sido in the 49th minute.

"But Sido has been outstanding for us since he came here and I am proud of my boys. I thought their attitude, effort and quality were there for all to see.

"They are good at what they do, but I felt we deserved something out of the game."

Tensions became frayed in the technical areas, with Yates claiming Bradford boss Phil Parkinson threw an insult at him.

"Phil called me something, but fair enough if he wants to call me that, that's what happens sometimes," Yates said.

Skipper Alan Bennett returns from suspension for tomorrow night's home match against Plymouth Argyle.

But Yates is still believed to hoping to tie up loan moves for a centre-half and a midfielder.

"I am looking to tie up the ones I have half done, but I won't be spending too long on the phone in a desperate attempt to bring players in because I was pleased with a lot of our performance," he said.

"We have to dust ourselves down quickly and get ready for another tough game against Plymouth."

■ Cheltenham Town have been drawn at home to either Newport County or Yate Town in the FA Cup first round.

Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Newport needed a late goal at Lodge Road on Saturday to prevent an upset against Yate, from Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South and West.

The tie will be played over the weekend of November 3.