Pompey skipper expects Matt punishment

Michael Doyle expects punishment for Jamille Matt after their play-off clash.
Referee Oliver Langford did not see Jamille Matt's headbutt on Michael Doyle. Picture: Joe PeplerReferee Oliver Langford did not see Jamille Matt's headbutt on Michael Doyle. Picture: Joe Pepler
Referee Oliver Langford did not see Jamille Matt's headbutt on Michael Doyle. Picture: Joe Pepler

Pompey were left fuming when Matt was allowed to stay on the pitch after using his head on the Blues skipper in last night’s dramatic 2-2 draw.

Matt had levelled Marc McNulty’s early opener and went on to get a second goal for the Pilgrims before Gary Roberts’ second-half penalty leveller.

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On a breathless night, an incensed Paul Cook was sent to the stands for his protests over the altercation.

Referee Oliver Langford claimed he didn’t see Matt use his head but has indicated he will now review the incident.

Doyle was adamant there was contact as the Fleetwood man leaned in on the 34-year-old – and TV replays backed up his stance.

He now expects Matt to be brought to book ahead of Sunday’s return with Derek Adams’ side at Home Park.

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Doyle side: ‘The lad’s used his head. You can see it on the camera.

‘He got tangled up with Danny and he wouldn’t let him go.

‘So I pulled his leg away from Danny so he could get up and we could go on the attack.

‘I walked away from it but he’s pulled me back and put his head in on me.

‘It’s one of those incidents I don’t know how the ref didn’t see it. The lino was watching it, too.

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‘He’ll have to look at it with it being on Sky and everyone seeing what happened.

‘I spoke to the commentators and they thought I made a bit much of it at first but the more they looked at it the more they could see it was a red card.

‘The ref has said he’s going to look at the video, so we’ll see what happens now.’

The match officials were again at the centre of events with their decisions proving crucial in a pulsating play-off tie.

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Langford failed to spot the Matt incident and there were calls for a red card for Peter Hartley after he hauled down McNulty for Pompey’s second-half penalty.

Hartley was cautioned for that incident and Doyle felt there was also a strong call for a dismissal for Pilgrims man Gary Sawyer after a high challenge on Danny Hollands.

Doyle also feared he had broken defender Curtis Nelson’s leg after a thunderous challenge.

He said: ‘The one on Danny was shocking. It was a dirty tackle.

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‘It was terrible and could have ended his career. It was knee high and there was no need for that. It was dirty.

‘The chap has pulled back Marc when he was through on goal. I don’t know about that one.

‘It was two committed players with Nelson but I must admit I thought I’d broken his leg.

‘I was worried for him with the scream so I stood over him for a second.

‘His leg was swollen but we were going for the ball and there was no holding back from either of us.’