Referee and Bobby call it quits

BRISTOL ROVERS 3. EXETER CITY 2

Report By Robin Perry

Bobby Gould reckons he and Brentford referee Brian Daniels are over now after Rovers completed their first double of the season in a thrilling West Country derby at Eastville. 

Rovers manager has never forgotten Mr Daniels' decision to disallow his goa that would have given Rovers a famous fifth round FA Cup victory over mighty Ipswich four years ago Ipswich escaped defeat and won the replay at Portman Road. But a TV replay proved that Mr Gould then Rovers's' player-coach was onside when he scored the goal that would have put his team into the sixth round had it not been struck off.

Bat last night, it was the turn of Rovers opponents to fume over a ruling br the bean, lanky referee. In injury time, Mark Hughes clattered Into former Bristol City and Bath City player Martyn Rogers well insiide Rovers  penalty area. But no spot kick was given and the much-changed home team held out for a win they badly needed. I couldn't believe it  when the referee let play continue," said Rogers. "But 1 suppose it is a lot to expect a referee to award two penalties to an away team" Exeter manager Brian Godfrey, the former Rovers skipper, added: " I was unhappy about the incident especially as we had done enough to deserve a draw"

Mr Gould admitted he would have had no complaint if the spot kick had been given against his team. But, memories of the Ipswich tie apart, he believed justice was done on the night.

The Eastville boss felt his side were harshly treated when Hughes was penalised in the 58th minute for a challenge on Peter Rogers and Tony Kellow made a 2-2 from the spot.

Hughes recalled to the centre of the defence after a break of seven games, was adamant that neither tackle warranted a penalty. "The first Incident, was outside the area. said the Wales under 21 squad member. "And the second occasion, the Exeter lad jumped into me.

The controversy added spice to a gutsy, all-action battle that I thought Rovers just about deserved to win. Playing against a strong wind in the first half, they took the lead after 21 minutes when Timmy Parkin scored his first goal for the club, heading in a superbly flighted left wing cross by Mike Barrett,

Seven minutes later a snappy challenge by Brian Williams as George Foster gave  Paul Randall the chance to break clear of Exeter's defence and power a shot past ex-Ashton Gate keeper Len Bond. Rovers could have no complaints over the goal that brought Exeter, back into the game six minutes into the second half. It was superbly struck from the edge of the penalty area by Martyn Rogers his third goal in four games since being switched from full-back to midfield. But after Kellow's spot kick had raised Exeter's hopes of returning to Devon with a point. Randall applied his knee to an in Swinging corner from the right by Brian Williams to bring Rovers a 63rd minute winner.