A FROZEN pitch on Saturday put paid to Shakers' boss Chris Casper's hopes of quickly bouncing back from Tuesday night's FA Cup exit.

Feeling just as frustrated as his charges after seeing Scunthorpe United claim a disputed winner two minutes from the end of extra time up at Glanford Park, he could not hide his anger and disappointment at what he felt was at best an indifferent refereeing display.

"We did not get the protection we deserved throughout the game and were always up against it," he said.

"Leading up to the goal they were awarded a corner that never was, and then, when we should have had a free kick on the edge of the box it was not given.

"We didn't help ourselves, failing to take our chances, but to lose out to a goal like that and so late in the game was a real sicker."

It was not only the goal that infuriated him. Two of his players were the victims of wild challenges and then midfield linchpin Dave Flitcroft was red carded for allegedly being too vehement in his protests about the goal to the officials.

"Danny Reet got clattered just before half-time and he certainly didn't get any protection at all from the referee," he claimed.

"It was a deliberate two-footed challenge and the lad should have been shown a straight red card.

"Also, Simon Whaley may have a fractured jaw after copping an arm in the face inside the opening two minutes, so you can read into that what you want.

"I've seen the goal incident and there is no way anyone could have been clear about what happened; in those circumstances you give the benefit of the doubt to the defending team.

"That is why Dave and the rest of us felt so harshly done by. As for his red card we will just have to see what the referee's report says."

Another victim on the night was Paul Scott, whose fifth yellow card now ruled him out of two games although he would have been available for Saturday's scheduled home clash with Rushden & Diamonds, which was postponed because of the condition of the pitch.