Peterborough 2 Bradford City 0: Parkinson blast for officials as City fall
BRADFORD City dropped out of the play-off positions, prompting manager Phil Parkinson to criticise referee Graham Horwood.
Parkinson claimed that the officials played a key role in his side’s defeat, which leaves them three points behind sixth-placed Doncaster Rovers.
“We were right in the game but decisive decisions went against us,” claimed the Bradford chief.
“The referee gave a very dubious free-kick that led to a scrappy opening goal in what was a scrappy game in all honesty, and he then gave one of the softest penalties I’ve seen in a long time.
“The linesman was looking straight down the barrel at the incident from 10 yards away and didn’t flag, but the referee made a ridiculous decision.”
Gaby Zakuani bundled in the opener in the 52nd minute and Michael Bostwick’s last-minute penalty sealed the victory after Alan Sheehan was adjudged to have handled a cross from Harry Beautyman.
Bradford created few opportunities, but Sheehan had a shot saved by Ben Alnwick and Andy Halliday volleyed over.
Bradford will hope to return to winning ways when they host second-from-bottom Crawley Town tomorrow.
Victory for Posh made it a memorable day for Dave Robertson in his first game as caretaker.
Academy manager Robertson was put in charge following Darren Ferguson’s departure last weekend and this win sees them move up to 10th in League One, four points off a play-off spot, while the Bantams drop to eighth.
Peterborough United: Alnwick, Bostwick, Zakuani, Santos, Smith, Payne, Newell, Ntlhe, Taylor (Norris 90), James (Harry Anderson 81), Vassell (Beautyman 68). Unused substitutes: Brisley, Oztumer, Burgess, Henry.
Bradford City: Pickford, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Sheehan, Burke (Zoko 66), Knott, Kennedy (Yeates 76), Halliday (McBurnie 90), Clarke, Stead. Unused substitutes: Meredith, Dolan, Williams, Routis.
Referee: G Horwood (Bedfordshire).
Man of the match: Michael Bostwick.