Soccer gossip: Inquests on Rotherham, Bradford and Doncaster

ROTHERHAM UNITED boss Steve Evans has issued an apology to Millers supporters following their insipid 3-0 home reverse to Southend United - after watching an X-rated re-run of the damning performance.

Evans, serving the final game of his six-match stadium ban, watched a DVD of the defeat to the Shrimpers and didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis.

Evans, who returns to the touchline for Saturday’s League Two trip to Aldershot - and on the weekend evidence, it can’t come a moment too soon, said: “It was awful from start to finish.

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“For me there was a distinct lack of effort, which in football is unforgivable. As a team and as individuals we lacked energy, desire and our performance had no passion. When all those characteristics are lacking in a performance, then you have no chance of getting any positive result out of that particular match, ability never comes into it.

“As the manager, I take the ultimate responsibility and rightly so. I will not have it any other way so I offer an unreserved apology to our supporters for the ineptdisplay.”

Meanwhile, Bradford City chief Phil Parkinson hailed flying winger Zavon Hines after his impressive second-half equaliser in the 1-1 League Two derby draw with York City at Valley Parade - after City had taken the lead just before the break, courtesy of Ashley Chambers’ eye-catching volley.

City are set to lean heavily on Hines in the coming weeks with fellow dashing winger Kyel Reid set to now be out until December with injury with Parkinson mulling over whether to enter the transfer market to bolster his squad.

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Parkinson, expected to us be without midfield talisman Gary Jones for the foreseeable future, said: “Zavon’s a terrific lad, he’s got a big heart and he wants to improve. When you’ve got those qualities, we’ve got something to work with.

“You have to remember that he has played in the Premier League and for England under-21s. He’s lost his way and I’m going to help him get back on track.”

Pleased with his side’s response after the midweek JPT home hammering at the hands of Coventry City, Minstermen boss Gary Mills added: “We more than deserved our point, we played well. It is never easy playing at Bradford, especially with the big frontman (James Hanson) like they have, but you have to deal with it.

“I am disappointed with my boys for letting Hines have that long run, which led to his goal, but Chambers’ goal was a joy. He is capable of doing that - he does it in training.

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“It was a good response from Tuesday’s game when we lost 4-0 at home to Coventry in the Johnstones’ Paint Trophy and we are more than holding our own in this division.”

Meanwhile, angry Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders slammed hit out at referee Graham Scott and claimed the Oxfordshire official cost his side victory in a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United.

Pools took the lead after 70 minutes when Scott controversially pointed to the spot after veteran Steve Howard was challenged by two visiting defenders in the penalty area.

Former Barnsley player Neil Austin converted the subsequent penalty and although Doncaster grabbed a late leveller when skipper Rob Jones scored from close range after 88 minutes on his return to Teesside, Saunders remained furious after the game.

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He added: “I don’t know what I can say without getting into trouble, it was an unreal decision. It’s a long throw, how he gives a penalty, I don’t know.

“Both players are trying to win a flick-on, you look at it and tell me. Lose games by a bit of bad luck or dodgy referee decision - that’s what I’ve told the lads. The ref has decided to help them in the game.

“Fair play to my lads, we accepted it and scored a great goal at the end. Rob Jones showed the desire he has all season to get on the end of it.”