DONCASTER ROVERS boss Dean Saunders labelled Graham Scott “a dodgy ref” after the official awarded Hartlepool United a second-half penalty.

Saunders was livid after Pools got a spot-kick when Steve Howard was manhandled in the area by Paul Quinn and ex-Darlington centre-half Shelton Martis.

“I don’t know what I can say without getting into trouble, it was an unreal decision,’’ moaned Saunders.

“It was a long throw, how he gives a penalty, I don’t know.

“We were robbed really, I said to the boys before the game that the only way we should lose games is bad luck or a dodgy ref – we got both.

“I cannot understand it, a long throw, Paul Quinn in front, Shelton behind. I’ve looked again and wonder what he’s given it for – maybe a free kick the other way.

“I’m not going to get myself in trouble, but it’s there for all to see.’’ Pools boss Neale Cooper said: “It looked a penalty to me, and they are complaining.

They were all over Stevie. If you look at it every week it is never given for all the pulling and shoving in the box. It was brave refereeing and a welltaken penalty from Neil Austin.’’ Defender Austin, who scored from the spot in the midweek shoot-out defeat to Bradford, said: “For the penalty, I thought the referee had given a free kick (against Howard) because you don’t normally get those ones.

“I thought Stevie was class, battling against the big boys at the back. It was my penalty.

Simon had one but he wasn’t there, Stevie had one, but I will always back myself from the spot.

“I’m the penalty taker now – I think Ryan Noble might have wanted a sniff, but after he missed one on Tuesday, I was on it.

“I was always going that way with it and it looks like I am the taker now, which suits me.’’ Pools will be without both Evan Horwood (heel) and Charlie Wyke (cut ankle) for tomorrow’s rearranged game at Orient.

Both were injured on Saturday and join Luke James (pelvis) and Andy Monkhouse (ankle