DMW September 18, 1999

IF refereeing is the new rock 'n' roll, then Stephen Davies of Swadlincote clearly fancies himself as Elvis.

The man in black was booed off at the Victoria Ground at Saturday after a series of strange decisions that left many disgruntled supporters muttering something about 'doing a better job myself.'

Lancaster Gate's gagging tactics mean that Rovers boss Steve Daley can say little more than "the only consistent thing about referees in this division is that they are inconsistent.'' Few Rovers fans who have followed their progress this season will disagree with him.

High-flying Cirencester certainly benefited most from Mr Davies' 'wisdom' and tensions reached boiling point on 68 minutes when Greens striker Richard Ball was ordered off for unsporting behaviour.

Here's a simple (enough) explanation. While Rovers have possession 20 yards out, a visiting player goes down and receives treatment. When play resumes, the Greens feel they should continue where they left off and Ian Cooper knocks the ball forward. Mr Davies blows up, the ball is brought back and, this time when he signals play on, Richard Ball repeats Cooper's actions. He walks towards the ball, but does not kick it, then receives his marching orders. Answers on a postcard, please...

All this brouhaha cast an unsightly shadow over a game which never had any expectations to live up to.

League newcomers Cirencester opened brightly but fell behind against the run of play on 22 minutes.

Red-shirted defenders swarmed around midweek two-goal hero Mark Bowater when Ryan Daley's corner arrived in the box, leaving attacking left back Steve Ulfig free to head home at the back post.

Two chances in quick succession around the half hour mark could have given Rovers a comfortable lead, but visiting keeper Kevin Sawyer had other ideas. He saved Stuart Payne's shot from a Tom Davies through ball with his legs then flicked Kevin Ashley's ambitious 30 yard lob back over his head before it could settle snugly in the top corner.

Both misses proved costly, as three minutes after the break, Town were level courtesy of David Godley's straightforward shot from Steve Coleman's low cross.

Dozy defending resulted in goal number two on 62 minutes, Scott Griffin stabbing home from close range after Rovers failed to clear Martin Blackler's fairly innocuous free kick.

Following Ball's dismissal, Daley's ten men forced a couple of corners but failed to rescue a valuable point.

Now partnering a sluggish Payne up front, Bowater threw himself at Cooper's cross but headed wide, while at the Shed end, Derek Dudley made an excellent double save to deny Griffin and the lively Phil Corcoran in the dying seconds of this nightmarish drama.

Rovers: Dudley, Ashley, Ulfig, Dodd, Bowater, Daley, Davies (sub Radburn 78), Bytheway, Payne, Ball, Cooper. Subs (unused): Wright, Jinks.

Attendance: 262. Rovers man of the match: Ian Cooper.