DRFC Saunders - Penalty decision cost us

Doncaster Rovers boss Dean Saunders says a poor refereeing decision cost them dearly at Burnley on Boxing Day.

Rovers looked to have whethered the early Burnley pressure and they were just beginning to get a foothold in the game when referee David Webb awarded Burnley a penalty, for an alleged foul by Rovers defender Sam Hird on Chris McCann.

Burnley eventually won 3-0, adding two more goals late on in the game but Saunders felt the penalty decision along with a few others did not help their cause, in a game that he thought they deserved something from.

Speaking on Radio Sheffield, Saunders said, 'That was not a 3-0 game. I thought we played well. The decision for the penalty is ridiculous but there were lots of other decisions that went against us.

'I'm not going to slaughter the referee because financially it doesn't make sense - that is the only reason.

'We have to go to Watford and not let that scoreline affect us because it could have been the other way. Their goalkeeper made a good save at 1-0 but we had plenty of chances.

'This is a difficult place to come and they have some very sharp players, but to have that many chances and not score is disappointing.'

The defeat was a missed chance for Rovers to move out of the bottom three with both Nottingham Forest and Bristol City also losing.

Coventry made up ground on Doncaster, beating Bristol City 1-0 at the Ricoh.

Rovers now prepare for two games in three days, starting at Watford on Saturday, who held promotion chasing Cardiff City to a draw in the Boxing Day fixtures.




Join Vital Doncaster Rovers!

With news and views, along with a forum, polls and article comments, everything you need in a fans site is right here!

You can even win prizes, by posting articles comments, posting on the message forum and voting on the polls.

Vital is also 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forum but you can also suggest an article or a poll so you can air your views.

So why not join Vital today?

It's easy to register here and enjoy getting involved

Message Board

To visit the message board, click here.

Get involved

This website is your website and we are looking for people to help run the site. Do you go to most of the games and have an opinion? Why not write a match report? Perhaps you are a budding journalist or even just someone who is very opinionated? Well why not join our team? If this interests you please contact Vital Doncaster .








Vital Doncaster on:




Vital Doncaster on:

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.