Ferguson fumes at official

Ferguson: Crossley criticism

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Preston manager Darren Ferguson was left fuming with the performance of referee Phil Crossley in his side's 1-1 draw with Doncaster at Deepdale.

Ferguson was angry with the official after he awarded the visitors a penalty following Sean St Ledger's trip on James Chambers.

Billy Sharp saw his kick saved by Whites' keeper Andy Lonergan as Neil Mellor secured a point for his side, but it didn't stop Ferguson from expressing his disapproval at the decision.

The former Peterborough boss was also unhappy with the decision not to send Chambers off in the second half as he felled Paul Coutts.

Chambers had already been cautioned three minutes before the interval - leading Ferguson to accuse the Rovers players of pressuring the referee.

Complete disgrace

"I was a long way away from it (the penalty decision), but I was amazed," said Ferguson. "I'd have to see it again but I think Sean was gobsmacked as well.

"I think the referee got put under a bit of pressure at half-time. They (Doncaster) felt they should have had a penalty and he's given one, but two wrongs don't make a right. The referees have got to stay strong."

On the decision not to dismiss Chambers, he added: "How the lad's not been sent off is an absolute disgrace, a complete disgrace. It drives you mental.

"You don't want to come out after games and keep talking about referees but it was a disgraceful decision.

"If he hadn't have been booked already, the referee would have booked him and that would have changed the game."

Fantastic save

Counterpart Sean O'Driscoll was keen to take the positives from his side's display - and refused to criticise Sharp for spurning the chance to take all three points.

Rovers had the better of the first half at Deepdale and took a deserved lead through James Hayter's 28th-minute strike.

Mellor got Preston back on level terms three minutes before the interval before Sharp saw his 55th-minute spot-kick saved by Lonergan, who earned the praise of the Doncaster boss.

O'Driscoll said: "I'm disappointed because we had the chance with the penalty to get our noses in front again but this is a difficult division and if everything happened as you would want it to it wouldn't be so tight."

On Lonergan's stop, he added: "He made a fantastic save in the first half from Gareth Roberts as well, so he's earned his money.

"Billy will be disappointed with missing the penalty. Goalscorers want to score goals so he'll be a sulky boy on the way home.

But he's been terrific for us. He's our top goalscorer, a bubbly character and he'll bounce back on Saturday I'm sure."