Rotherham United boss makes ‘stonewall’ penalty claim after 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic

Rotherham United manager Steve Evans claimed his team were deprived of a “stonewall” penalty in this afternoon’s 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic.

The Millers boss was booked by referee Simon Mather for his reaction after officials did not give a spot-kick late in the League One clash, Joe Powell hitting the turf under a challenge from Kayne Ramsay.

Liam Kelly put Rotherham 1-0 up in the 58th minute – a first goal after losing all eight of their previous away league matches without scoring. But Chuks Aneke whipped in an excellent equaliser from the edge of the box.

“It was a keenly-contested game by two teams that hopefully come the other end of the season find themselves in contention,” said Evans.

“First half we had really good spells, up until the final third – we didn’t do enough there and that was a criticism I levelled a little bit at half-time. We changed a few things and became the more dominant side and had to just deal with the long balls up to Chuks (Aneke). If we dealt with them we’d have been okay.

“We get ourselves in front with a great goal. There is a fortunate part to their goal, it richochets off one of my own players and Chuks does what Chuks can do.

“I remember a Neil Warnock quote: “You don’t get penalties in London unless you’re from London”. How that is not a penalty is beyond me. We didn’t get it. That was the Neil Warnock quote…before someone at the FA gets excited.

“It’s a clear and obvious penalty. There is no attempt to play the ball – so my comments to the referee coming off is that not only has he missed a penalty but it is also a red card. It is at a big time in the game.

“Neil Warnock is a friend of mine and he’ll chuckle that I’ve said it. But he’s right – you come from the north and you don’t get penalties in London.

“My only argument (with the yellow card) was that I think Nathan was his touching buddy for 65 minutes. But Nathan swam with him, didn’t he? I didn’t say anything. I said it was a penalty but I raised my arms and I said to the fourth official at the time that he’d be disappointed when he saw it back. He’s a good man David Rock, I don’t have a problem with him.”

Evans did not see a point as a decent return.

He said: “When you break down statistics in this league there are two or three teams that eye candy stick out – your Birminghams, your Wrexhams etc. When I broke down Charlton I saw a couple of injury-time winners. Take them away and it’s not a top versus 17th clash, which is how it was built up locally here.

“We always thought when we got into a rhythm and got an indentity going – players fit – that we could come here and win the game. I think we go away, out of the two teams, the unfortunate one not to be going away with three points today.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD