FURIOUS Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has hit out at the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) for naming someone whom he considered to be an inexperienced fourth official for Saturday’s League One game at Bradford City – and said he resembled a ‘rabbit in the headlights a little bit’ after replacing the referee at half-time.

Referee Zac Kennard-Kettle made way at the interval. He had received early treatment for an injury issue that forced a stoppage in the game before managing to carry on until the break.

Fourth official Conor Ledgeway came on in his place and was involved in a controversial moment in the 69th minute with City leading 1-0.

Mansfield thought they had equalised when Michael Smith got a touch close to the goalline following Deji Oshilaja’s initial header.

Bradford City's Adam Phillips fends off Mansfield Town's Liam Thompson in Saturday's game at Valley Parade. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Bradford City's Adam Phillips fends off Mansfield Town's Liam Thompson in Saturday's game at Valley Parade. Photo: Tony Johnson.

It was ruled out for foul on home keeper Jon McCracken with the hosts seeing the game out to take three points at Valley Parade.

Clough was angered after claiming the goal had initially been given. Afterwards, his ire was directed towards referees’ supremo Mike Jones and not Ledgeway.

Meanwhile, the experienced Stags chief said he was also ‘very disappointed’ that he was not notified at the interval that the referee had been changed, which he felt was disrespectful.

Clough, who changed his initial line-up ahead of kick-off after keeper Liam Roberts - named as a starter on the teamsheet - was withdrawn due to a foot injury with ex-City custodian Harry Lewis taking his place, said: "In the second half especially, we did enough to get a point out of that game.

Bradford City's Bobby Pointon sees his shot saved by Mansfield Town keeper - and former Bantams player - Harry Lewis. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"And to score a goal where the referee actually gives it and the linesman gives it and they turn around and change their mind... That takes some doing that does and some getting over..

"I didn’t understand that at all. I'm very disappointed. The referee was limping after five or 10 minutes and then eventually went off at half-time. We were not notified by anybody that the referee was changing. Nor was Graham and Bradford City.

"We had to make a change before the game obviously with Liam Roberts. We come out and tell the referee and the fourth official and go through everything. And they can't even have the courtesy to tell us that they are changing referees at half-time...

"Then the other huge problem that they have is - which is completely and utterly down to Mike Jones and his organisation, the referees' association. If that is the best that they have got coming on to referee a game, why we haven't got an experienced fourth official for a game like this today, so that if anything does happen, we've got somebody who can come on.

“I don't know how many games that lad who came in the second half has refereed at League One if he's ever done one. He should not be in that position because it was obviously far, far too much for the lad and ultimately it has cost us a point because of the goal that he disallowed..

"I don't think a more experienced referee would have disallowed that goal.

"It's funny because the referee who came off said: 'oh clear foul'. I said: 'well, why didn't he give it straightaway? Why did he actually give the goal if it's a clear foul? Why didn't he blow his whistle straightaway?

"We can't go in for 30 minutes and the poor lad, a young lad, was like a rabbit caught in headlights a little bit. It's not him and it's very, very unfair for him to be put into that position today. But unfortunately, we've suffered for it."