ROTHERHAM boss Ronnie Moore's reaction was somewhat understandable after seeing his side lose in a refereeing controversy, writes Derek Davis.He believes the way refs are assessed should be made more open, just as players and manager's criticisms are.

ROTHERHAM boss Ronnie Moore's reaction was somewhat understandable after seeing his side lose in a refereeing controversy, writes Derek Davis.

He believes the way refs are assessed should be made more open, just as players and manager's criticisms are. He said: "I'm gutted with some of the decisions the referee made. It was always going to be a tough game but when we got back in it at 1-1 the pressure was on them. But two major decisions have cost us three points. He got one penalty decision wrong and gave one that should not have been given and, as far as I'm concerned, two wrongs don't make a right in my book.

"Then how has he not given the one on Byfield and sent the lad [Santos] off? He was clean though and if it is not a penalty it is at least a corner but he gave a goal kick – but you can't say anything about referees.

"So many things go wrong with referees, yet managers are not allowed to see what the assessor writes and it is about time we did."

But Moore had no sympathy for the red cards. Skipper Martin McIntosh faces a one-match ban for two yellow cards, both for fouls on Pablo Counago and there's a three-match suspension for Julien Baudet who was dismissed for violent conduct towards Alan Mahon. Moore said: "It was totally ill-disciplined of both of them. McIntosh was incensed with Counago diving all over the place, he has tried to really hurt him and tackled him from behind and got a second yellow.

"The Baudet incident was a right mess. Mahon has gone over the top but the ref has not seen it. But you can't get up and put your hand round someone's throat."

The Millers' boss tried to look on the bright side and believes his side, who are third from bottom, have been playing better of late.

He added: "This is not a time to get your heads down.

"We gave away a silly goal from a corner. We need a bit of luck and a decent referee at times – though I don't know where we will find one."

The return fixture at the Millers' ground Millmoor on April 10, promises to be an interesting encounter.