Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has rebuffed claims that his staff played any part in Bradford City’s controversially disallowed goal last weekend.
Tyreik Wright scored the game’s only goal with nine minutes remaining, giving the Bantams a crucial three points to reignite their automatic promotion hopes.
But an incident in the opening period grabbed all the headlines, after Kayden Jackson had a debut goal chalked off. The Bradford-born man thought he had a first appearance to remember, slotting home with ease after just eleven minutes.
But referee Craig Hicks went to confer with fourth official Paul Marsden, and the goal was overturned. On further replays, there was a clear handball from the 31-year-old to control the ball before his cool finish.
That wasn’t the contentious aspect of the goal, though. It had been claimed that Rovers utilised replays on their pitchside iPads to sway the decision of the fourth official, who made a key intervention in the goal being ruled out.
Bradford City manager Graham Alexander gave his thoughts on the incident post-match.
“When we question a decision on the pitch, the fourth official will say that he’s [the referee] right there and closer to it than me. We hear that regardless of what they think has happened.
“He was under massive pressure from the opposition bench and I could hear them saying they’d seen it. He said he saw it live. I can only go off what people tell me and take them at their word. But I didn’t see it.”
That has created quite a reaction from supporters of both sides, and further beyond.
Speaking at Monday night’s Meet the Owners event, Donny’s manager put the record straight.
“None of our staff showed the fourth official anything. You aren’t allowed to show the fourth official anything and our iPad is stuck in a stand during the game.
“Secondly, it was a handball. We have our two analysts and they don’t move off their seats. It’s there for us to review the game and gather things for half-time.”
There had already been a bit of heat pre-kick-off, with McCann appearing to reveal that the Bantams had signed Ethan Wheatley. He played no part in the game and was only confirmed on Monday evening. Bradford didn’t miss an opportunity to fire shots back at their Yorkshire rivals in the announcement on their X page.
Big Few Days For Doncaster
Following the weekend’s result, Grant McCann had further issues to contend with. He claimed last Thursday that “from my point of view, my squad’s complete.” But an injury to Frankie Okoronkwo, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Lincoln City, forced him to rethink his transfer plans. The Everton loanee is expected to miss most of February with a hamstring knock.
That left the South Yorkshire outfit with just 39-year-old Billy Sharp and Brandon Hanlan as their options up front. As discussed on yesterday’s League One podcast, Rovers completed the deadline day signing of Elliot Lee from Wrexham. Arriving on loan from North Wales, the 31-year-old went straight into Donny’s side for their victory at Burton Albion last night.
That came despite Lee not playing a single minute for the Red Dragons since August. While he wasn’t able to cap his debut with a goal, the forward helped his new side to three valuable points that move Rovers out of the relegation zone in League One.
Tipped by myself as one of the best signings on transfer deadline day in the third tier, he should help an ever-improving Doncaster side to a comfortable second half of the campaign.