Furious Evans to appeal over dismissal

Rotherham manager points the finger at his Middlesbrough counterpart Aitor Karanka after Jordan Bowery is sent off. (Picture: Richard Parkes)

The Rotherham United manager was livid at the 29th-minute decision, which saw referee Mike Russell dismiss Bowery, after consulting with linesman Keith Lawson, following a tangle with Middlesbrough left-back George Friend.

Evans has revealed that he had issues with the fact that Scunthorpe-based Lawson had been chosen to officiate at Saturday’s game.

On the incident, which saw Bowery penalised for a kick, although TV replays proved inconclusive, Evans said: “We will appeal on Monday and see how it goes.

“I said before the game that Middlesbrough are a quality side, but I go away remembering an absolutely shocking, awful, woeful, disgraceful, abject decision to send Jordan off.

“I hold no portion of blame to the match referee. If he is told someone has kicked out by an assistant, he should go off.”

Boro manager Aitor Karanka did not attach such importance to the sending-off, saying: “I think when this happened we were winning 2-0 and I don’t think it is a very big important thing.”

He heaped praise on Yanic Wildschut who was making his first start.

“He kept working very well because all the players understand the philosophy,” he said.

“He scored the goal, crossed very well, worked very well and this is the way and I think he is going home happy.”

He added: “They performed very well and our attitude was very good.”