Scholes slams referee after Lincoln loss

Paul Scholes

It was an uphill struggle after Latics fell behind to a drive by Harry Toffolo, as Jose Baxter was sent off for a wild lunge on Harry Anderson.

That was also as a shoulder injury put paid to Dapo Afolayan’s evening.

Scholes felt the red card was justified for the challenge, but put the blame for the atmosphere in the game squarely at the referee's door.

Speaking to the official Latics website, he said: "It was caused by the referee - there was so much going on off the ball, after the ball had gone, that he just wasn't pulling up.

"Do you know what? I've lost my temper at that time as well.

"I can totally understand what Jose's done. I'm not condoning it, but from experience I know why he's done it."

The opening goal was a well-worked move, with Toffolo getting a return pass from Mark O’Hara on the edge of the box – before driving a right-footed effort past Daniel Iversen.

Despite a bright start to the match, things went wrong for Latics after the break, when the Imps doubled their lead.

Lincoln substitute Danny Rowe doubled the lead early in the second half, with a brilliant curling strike into the top corner.

With a man advantage, the Imps continued to control the match – as the introduction of Chris O’Grady and Urko Vera did little to change the outcome.

The result leaves Oldham with only a very slim hope of making the playoff places in League Two – as they now sit nine points off Colchester, with nine matches still to play.

Paul Scholes is now without a win at Latics since his first match in charge on 12th February.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.