MICK McCARTHY last night rubbished a suggestion that Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer avoided being sent off at Rotherham United because he is a 'big name player'.

McAteer was yellow carded in the first half for an over-the-top two-footed lunge on United's Shaun Barker.

And after the game a furious Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore slammed: "I think Jason McAteer was the best referee out there. He has gone over the ball and done him. If it was anybody else he would have been off.

"He was back to his old Liverpool days. He was in the referee's ears winding him up. A good lad and a lad from St Helens (referee Mr Foy) having a chat. To be fair to Jason he did apologise but he went over the ball."

But McCarthy claimed Moore was being unfair. He said: "They are not happy with Jason's challenge and it would be impossible to say, from where I was sitting at the opposite side of the pitch, exactly what happened.

"I don't think for one minute Jason McAteer has tried to hurt the player. He would be one who would be very upset if he has.

"There were also a couple of challenges on him that were very cynical.

"It's either a sending off or it isn't. There's been a suggestion that because he is an Irish international and a big name player that he has not been sent off.

"But I got sent off once or twice in my career and it never stopped internationals Julio Arca or Kevin Kyle getting sent off for nothing earlier this season, did it?"

Rotherham also believed that the penalty awarded - which Marcus Stewart converted - for Guy Branston's tackle on Tommy Smith in the penalty area should not have been awarded.

But McCarthy, whose side have now won all three Christmas period fixtures ahead of Saturday's FA Cup derby with Hartlepool, said: "I thought it was a penalty. I was still in a bad position to see it but I appealed for it just like anyone else would.

"I'm pleased we got it because it put us on the way to another three points.

"We have won three now but I would expect to beat Wimbledon and Bradford at the Stadiuim of Light. I also think that if we have serious aspirations of promotion or getting in the play-offs then we have to come to places like this and win."

Rotherham had claimed 20 points from a possible 24 prior to yesterday's match and McCarthy, whose side now sit fourth, was relieved after this latest result.

"I'm delighted and I thought we played very well. It was a very intense game and I'm delighted with them all," he said. "There have been times when we have not stood up to a robust challenge but I thought we did that here."

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