Oxford United 1 Bradford City 0: The referee completely lost it, fumes Gary Bowyer

Jamie Mackie's strike in the third minute of injury-time moved Oxford United out of the bottom four with a 1-0 win over League One bottom-club Bradford City.
Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer.Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer.
Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer.

The winning goal was awarded in controversial circumstances, though, as referee Andy Davies first ruled out the strike before allowing it to stand after a four minute stoppage amid confusion at the Kassam stadium over a re-take of a goal-kick in the build-up.

Bamtams boss Gary Bowyer, however, was left frustrated by the defeat: “It was absolute carnage.

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“It was a horrible day and the conditions were terrible. We showed a different side from what I’d seen from them, in terms of being able to fight and compete.

“We played the ugly side of the game and I thought the defence and the goalkeeper were excellent.

On the controversial winner, he said: “There are players in the penalty box (for the goal-kick), which you’re apparently not allowed to have, and it didn’t go out the penalty area.

“They then go down that flank and the linesman stands still level with the 18-yard box and he’s talking down the mic about not taking the goal-kick properly.

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“They have a shot that ricochets off (Jerome) Sinclair’s back. Richard O’Donnell has got it covered and then (Jamie) Mackie volleys it in.

“Then all chaos commenced. Three quarters of their dug-out were all the way down by the corner flag and nothing happens about that.

“So, the referee in terms of the rules and regulations has completely lost it.”