Frustrated Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth lamented a string of decisions which went against his side during their 3-1 defeat at Peterborough.
Captain John Marquis was sent off after 13 seconds for an elbow on Sam Hughes, equalling the fastest red card from the start of a game in English professional football.
The dismissal matches the record set by former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Kevin Pressman in 2000 for handling outside the area.
Ainsworth also believed the ball went out of play in the build up to Tayo Edun’s opener, scored direct from a corner, and George Lloyd should have been awarded another penalty.
Mal Benning equalised from the spot before Malik Mothersille restored the hosts’ lead and Chris Conn-Clarke scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time as Peterborough eased their relegation fears by moving four points clear.
After seeing his side return to the foot of the table, Ainsworth said: “There’s never a dull moment is there?
“John’s devastated in the dressing room to be sent off.
“In my opinion, and it’s only my opinion, there were a few decisions out of our control which dictated the game.
“First of all, I don’t think it was a red card early on.
“I think John has tried to put his arm across the centre halve rather than leading with his arm and trying to whack the centre halve. That’s two different things.
“You’ve got to use your common sense and say ‘it’s a bit dangerous mate and it’s a yellow card’. Not a straight red.
“All the fans are baying for it. The bench is up in arms, it’s hard for the referee, but come on.
“Just before their corner when they score the ball is unbelievably out of play. I don’t think the assistant is quick enough to see it. That goes against us.
“After we get one penalty, you’re allowed to give two penalties. There’s a blatant penalty on George Lloyd as he goes through.
“It’s not even a corner and the ref gives us a corner. It’s either a goal kick or a penalty. It’s just going against us.
“I’m really proud again with the never-ending support from the fans for my players on the pitch.”
Posh, who reached the EFL Trophy final at Wembley by beating Wrexham in midweek, secured their second straight league win.
Boss Darren Ferguson said: “It’s a massive win for us. It’s the most important game of the week and we managed to win it. It’s capped off a good week.
“We deserved the win. We just didn’t finish them off as quickly as everyone would have liked.
“I thought they made us nervous and they made us edgy because of the way they sat in.
“I think it’s a first time for everyone where the first action results in a red card. John’s gone up to challenge and the referee made his mind up quick. I’d have to see it back.
“It was a poor error to let them back in the game. They made it difficult because of the way they hung in the game and we didn’t put them away.
“Whether you think the performance is good enough or not doesn’t matter. We’ve won and that’s all that matters.
“We made it difficult for ourselves. We missed so many chances. That was the problem in the second half, the game should have been over.”
Meanwhile, Peterborough issued a statement on social media following an incident at the game.
Peterborough said on X: “We are aware of an arrest in the GH Display Stand this afternoon following an allegation of racial abuse towards a member of staff.
“On conclusion of the police investigation we will take appropriate action.
“Peterborough United does not condone any form of abuse.”
Burnley boss Scott Parker never doubted his players would maintain their intensity despite promotion having already been achieved.The Clarets emphatically boosted their Sky Bet Championship title hopes by hammering QPR 5-0 in their penultimate match of the season.It moved them to the top of the table, three points ahead of Leeds, although the Yorkshire side, who are at home to Bristol City on Mond...

Darren Moore could not hide his pride at steering Port Vale back into League One following a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.Two second-half goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley sealed an immediate return to the third tier for the Vale Park outfit.As players and fans alike celebrated in the away end, Moore reflected on the achievement – and admitted his focus in this match was on gaining...

Richie Wellens felt the overall display from his Leyton Orient team was excellent in their 1-0 victory over Wycombe.Orient took another step towards the play-offs after Randell Williams’ second-half header proved the difference at Brisbane Road.It was Orient’s fifth successive win and they now travel to Huddersfield next Saturday knowing that, with their superior goal difference, they ...

Notts County all-but guaranteed their place in the League Two play-offs courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Harrogate.The Magpies ended their four-match winless run thanks to Conor Grant’s second-half brace, leaving them fifth in the table and six points clear of eighth-placed Colchester.County took the lead in the 33rd minute when George Abbott fired home after David McGoldrick’s initial eff...

Luton climbed out of the Championship bottom three for the first time since January thanks to Shandon Baptiste’s 90th-minute goal as they beat play-off chasing Coventry 1-0.The Hatters looked like they would go to West Brom next weekend with their destiny definitely out of their own hands, only for Baptiste, who had been on the field for just 11 minutes, to find the net and lift the roof off...

Leyton Orient remain on course for the Sky Bet League One play-offs after a 1-0 win which dented Wycombe’s hopes of automatic promotion.Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game and Orient’s victory, their fifth in succession, leaves them ahead of seventh-placed Reading on goal difference.Defeat for the Chairboys, though, has handed the initiative to Wrexham, who could seal the...

Doncaster clinched promotion to League One after goals from Rob Street and Billy Sharp secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Yorkshire rivals Bradford.In an incident-packed encounter in front of over 12,500 fans – the Eco-Power Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season – Doncaster hit the post through Jordan Gibson before on-loan Lincoln striker Street gave Rovers a 33rd-minute lead with his...

Reading’s hunt for a Sky Bet League One play-off spot will go to the final day of the season after the Royals beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.Lewis Wing’s eighth league goal of the season after 67 minutes and Chem Campbell’s added-time effort leaves the Pirates staring at relegation after Noel Hunt’s side had to survive a first-half onslaught from the hosts....

Jamie Andrews struck a late equaliser as Woking twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh in the National League.Tyrese Shade put the visitors in front after 14 minutes, played in on goal by Ben Close before finding the bottom corner of the net.Woking then drew level three minutes before the break when Aiden O’Brien headed in from Jacob Jones’ free-kick.Shade had Eastleigh back...

Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cros...



- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola fumes over point claimed at 10-man Crystal Palace
- 10 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest