Planet Swans ArchivesFurious Bristol Rovers boss Ian Atkins pointed the finger at the match officials after claiming they were pressured into handing Lee Trundle a late winner.
Atkins insisted the intimidating atmosphere at the Vetch, and the North Bank in particular, was the reason City were not only awarded a penalty but then allowed to retake it and score after Kevin Miller saved the first attempt.
The bad-tempered finish saw Atkins and Swans boss Kenny Jackett involved in a touchline slanging match which was only ended by the intervention of a police officer.
The Rovers boss then snubbed Jackett and his players at the final whistle before launching a thinly-veiled attack on the referee and his assistants.
Atkins is already facing three FA charges over his behaviour during last month’s 2-2 draw with Yeovil, and battled to keep his emotions in check in the post-match press conference in a bid to avoid another.
But he was clearly bemused at how the game had slipped away from his side in such controversial fashion in a finish which erased the memories of an otherwise dreary 90 minutes.
Atkins said: “I came here three years ago and down in that bottom corner if any kind of decision goes against them or a player goes down, the crowd start shouting and decisions always go against you.
“They did again today. It was no coincidence that three years ago the linesman had something thrown at him and it was the same situation today.
“If people are good enough and they beat us, you say well done, but in no way did we look as if we were going to lose today and we’ve lost it through what I didn’t think were rightful decisions.
“I can’t say a great deal about it because I will get into trouble but I think people should be accountable for things like that.
“It’s a hard place to come and I said before that although Swansea are a half decent team they don’t concern me. What did concern me was what kind of decisions would go against us.
“It’s hard to take. We’ve been undone by something that concerned me before the game and I’ve been proven right.
Trundle crashed to the ground under a challenge from full-back Robbie Ryan, only to see his first effort superbly saved by Miller diving to his left. But the spot kick was ordered to be re-taken after the linesman spotted Millar had left his line early, and Trundle kept his nerve amid a red-hot atmosphere to score his sixth goal of the season with just two minutes left.
Jackett was understandably delighted to have won by a solitary goal for the fourth straight league match at home. But he was doing his diplomatic best to play down his flare-up with Atkins.
Ian has his own issues and his own club to manage,” he said.
“All I can do is concentrate on Swansea.
“I have known Ian down the years and I know he is a competitor who will do whatever he can to get onto the referee. We’re big enough to know that tempers get frayed and things get said in the heat of the moment but I’m sure the next time I see him things will be okay.”
“He’s entitled to his opinions. I try to leave the referee and the linesman alone because there is no point in trying to affect things you have no control over.
“He did say a couple of things to me and Kevin Broadhurst said a couple of things and I think I answered them in similar fashion!
“But that’s management and if it was all diluted and very quiet I don’t think we would be getting the crowds we are.”
Jackett has certainly been getting under the skin of opposing managers this season, having ruffled the feathers of former Kidderminster boss Jan Molby earlier in the season.
But he added: “I wouldn’t say I’m becoming unpopular, that’s always been the case.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the attitude of my players but we feel we can still do better. There is room for improvement.”
But for the fiery finale, the game was pretty forgettable as both defences kept chances to an absolute minimum.
But victory took the Swans up to second place in the table with a game still in hand on the leaders and they have now not conceded a single goal at home since the first month of the campaign.
The first half was only memorable for a handful of chances created by the home side and some off-the-ball tactics by full-back Andy Gurney.
Had they been spotted, they could well have earned the hard-man defender an early bath.
But whether by design or luck they were enough to ensure both Lee Thorpe and in-form Rovers hitman Junior Agogo endured fruitless afternoons.
City skipper Roberto Martinez was as influential as any defender on the pitch constantly breaking up Rovers’ attacks before prompting his side into attack.
And at the back both Gary Monk and Kevin Austin barely put a foot wrong, although that didn’t appear too difficult at times.
Up until the penalty the second half was notable only for a trio of chances for the visitors and bookings for both sides. There were seven of them in total and six of those came after the break.
