Albion Rovers boss set for SFA summit

Mar 23 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

PAUL MARTIN is demanding answers from referees’ chief John Fleming after Saturday’s North Lanarkshire derby.

The Albion Rovers boss is planning to contact the SFA supremo following decisions made by both whistler Gary Hilland and linesman Derek Grothers during the 1-1 draw with Clyde.

Martin feels his side were hard done by on several occasions.

And he is seeking clarification on three incidents he reckons the officials got wrong.

*The goal: Martin wants to know why a foul wasn’t awarded in favour of Rovers after Marc McCusker collided with keeper Thomas Flynn who was forced off with a gashed knee.

*The offside: Martin is wondering why Mr Grothers gave an offside decision against his side when a ball was played to John Gemmell who ran from an onside position.

*The booking: Martin is questioning why Peter Innes was booked for kicking out but McCusker escaped caution for a similar incident moments later.

“I just don’t feel we got a fair crack of the whip from the officials on Saturday,” Martin told Advertiser Sport.

“I will be speaking to John about some of the incidents from the game.

“I will be reviewing the match DVD to look at the challenge on the keeper for Clyde’s goal.

“But I don’t need to look again at the offside decision just before half-time as it was a poor call.

“Robert Love was offside but John Gemmell wasn’t. I was told there was a ‘wait and see’ policy on offsides but the flag was up before John got the ball.

“I will also be seeking clarification on why Peter received a yellow card for kicking out but Marc didn’t for a lash out far worse during the same passage of play.

“All we ask for is even-handedness and I don’t believe we got that.

“We didn’t get that during the Innes-McCusker incident or for the offside decision.”

Martin says he doesn’t want a war with officialdom as Rovers push for a Third Division promotion play-off place.

“This is important to us,” he added. “This is the first chance in a number of years that we have had a chance of promotion.

“I don’t want to be having fights with referees and linesmen all the time.”

Rovers are six points behind league leaders Arbroath after the Smokies' 1-1 draw with Clyde on Tuesday night.

Martin admits winning the title is now a tall order but vowed to keep going.

The manager said: “We took seven points out of nine last week so we’re happy with how we’re doing.

“Arbroath can only lose the title now so we may have to review our targets.

“But we’re not ready to give up just yet.”

Rovers will have midfielder Stevie Canning back from suspension for this weekend’s trip to Elgin City.