Mowbray dismay at referee decisions

Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray believes luck and big decisions went against his team during the Checkatrade Trophy match with Rochdale on Tuesday night.

His team eventually lost 5-3 in a penalty shootout meaning the Blues future in the tournament rests on the outcome of the other game in Group C.

Rovers went ahead through whiz kid Joe Nuttall who notched his third in three games since being promoted into the first-team after impressing in the under-23 side.

They then had Scott Wharton sent off for a second yellow after a clumsy tackle. Mowbray questioned the dismissal but put it down to naivety and believes Wharton will learn from it.

Jordan Slew equalised for Rochdale and it looked odds-on that they would make their numerical advantage count but to their credit, Rovers held on to force the spot-kick lottery but it wasn’t to be their night in the end.

Speaking after the game Mowbray praised his team for the display but could not hide his frustration at event since in the game.

“It was a good solid performance, I think we played for over an hour with 10 men and worked extremely hard. Having watched it back, it was a shocking decision for their equaliser, the boy was miles offside, but never mind,” he told the official club website.

One bright spot was the form of in-form striker Nuttall. Mowbray praised the youngster’s performances and thinks he has done enough to warrant selection for everybody game from now on.

“What can’t he do? He can compete in the air, he can run in behind, he can hold the ball up, he can score with either foot or his head.”

Blackburn could have found a real gem in Nuttall. If he keeps on improving who knows where his career will go.

Rovers will face Walsall next at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon in League One.