Coyle frustrated by referee

Posted Sunday, February 07, 2010 by PA

Bolton boss Owen Coyle felt his captain Kevin Davies was denied a clear winner against Fulham this afternoon.

Coyle's struggling side were forced to settle for a goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium after Davies had a late headed goal disallowed for a push on Brede Hangeland. Coming moments after Johan Elmander spurned a fine opportunity, it made for a dramatic end to a dreary Barclays Premier League clash but Coyle could not understand the decision.

"I think it is fair to say we certainly didn't get what we deserved from the game," said Coyle, whose side are just a point above the relegation zone. "I can't be evasive - we have scored a very good goal in the game. Everyone in the stadium knew it was a goal, bar one man."

He added: "That is hard to take, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

"It was clearly a terrific goal. Kevin has jumped among a group of players and planted a great header in the corner.

"The referee (Mark Clattenburg) has deemed Kevin has pushed the defender with two hands.

"I knew at the time there was no contact and I've seen the re-run - certainly not any two hands that I've seen."

Coyle has won just one Premier League game in five since taking charge earlier this month but he feels performances are promising.

He continued: "Every point is a good point in the Premier League but the galling thing is we were deserving of three.

"But there was a lot to be pleased about, a lot of positives. I felt in the second half we really raised the pace of the game and had a number of opportunities."