Curle unhappy with decision to send off Martin during Bristol Rovers defeat

Cobblers boss Keith Curle called into question the decision to send off defender Joe Martin during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

There could be no complaints regarding Martin's first yellow card, received for a cynical challenge shortly before half-time, but Curle did not believe his second-half clash with Brandon Hanlan warranted another booking.

The 31-year-old was shown yellow again for supposedly elbowing the Rovers striker just moments after the home side had taken a 1-0 lead.

"The referee didn't give it and that's the disappointing thing," said Curle. "Yes, he was the one who ultimately pulled the card out but I've looked back at the video and the referee has seen the challenge.

"But the information came from the fourth official and the assistant who didn't flag. The fourth official said that he saw Joe Martin leading with an elbow.

"Their lad is trying to get in front and Joe's trying to stop him. Joe has got in front and he's then tried to plant himself and it's not an unnatural body movement to pin somebody behind you and keep him there.

"That's been interpreted completely differently and he's said that Joe has launched a forearm into him. That's somebody who doesn't know the game and hasn't had physical contact within the game.

"It's easy to stand on the side of the pitch and know the rules of the game but when you've been involved in it, you know that is someone who honestly hasn't taken his eyes off the ball and is trying to prevent the attacker getting in front.

"Ultimately, he's held in him and there's a difference between holding someone there and launching or throwing a forearm."

Curle was less critical of the decision to award Rovers a penalty just before Martin's red card as Cian Bolger felled Hanlan.

"It was a cheap penalty," he added. "The lad has done well, he's turned and got at him in the box and that's what we say to our strikers - when you get a centre-back one v one in the box, take him on."