IRATE Clarets boss Stan Ternent claimed referee Keith Hill is not good enough to officiate in the Football League as Burnley's 15-match unbeaten League run came to an end at Bristol Rovers yesterday.

Hill made 11 bookings, which included the dismissal of Bristol defender Trevor Challis, as well as awarding a highly dubious penalty which allowed Jamie Cureton to condemn the Clarets to a 1-0 defeat.

And Ternent roundly condemned the official's handling of a match which produced some 45 stoppages in play but was never remotely bad tempered.

"I'm not allowed to say too much about referees but on this occasion I think I'm fully justified in saying the referee was not, repeat not, up to scratch," said the Clarets chief.

"We've had four bookings this season, we've come away with six today when it wasn't a game like that.

"They've had five bookings and a sending-off and he's given a penalty that's cost us the game because they wouldn't have scored a goal against us.

"And without playing as well as we can we've come away with nothing, all down to the referee.

"Also he has a responsibility, not just to the football managers and players, but to the Burnley travelling supporters.

"They've travelled over 200 miles to watch a game of football that's been ruined by a shoddy, not up-to-scratch performance. "The referee is not, repeat not, good enough to referee at Football League level if that is his level of performance."

Ternent, who was today writing a report on his view of the referee's performance to forward to the FA, may be called upon to explain his remarks if there is a complaint made to the FA.

However, the FA said today that his post-match comments had not been brought to their attention and they would only act if they received a complaint from the referee, FA council member or other official within the game.

And Ternent added: "If I'm censured then I'll be censured for telling the truth. And if I had to call some witnesses, I don't know what the gate was, I think I could probably call eight, nine or 10,000.

"I think I'm on solid ground. It's in the cold light of day after the game and I'm saying straight from the heart what happened.

"That was an absolutely appalling display from a referee.

"So something has to be done about it and hopefully the powers that be will act on it."

Ternent said he appreciated that referees face a difficult job but added: "It really is galling and very difficult for me as the manager and the players to take. But if you look in the paper today Bristol Rovers got three points and Burnley got none.

"There weren't a lot of chances in the game. We had two with Graham Branch and Andy Payton which the keeper saved.

"They weren't going to score a goal against us, even when we went two against two at the back we didn't look like conceding a goal. "We didn't play as well as we can but there again neither have Bristol Rovers I don't suppose and the referee has decided the match with a decision that is out of fantasy land.

"But we have to take in on the chin. We've gone 15 matches, we've lost out first game, not down to the players, and we've got to start again on on Friday.

"We have to take it on the chin and our professionalism will show through on Friday and we'll bounce back and get up-and-running."

Burnley reserves play Manchester City in the Pontins League Premier Division tonight at Hyde United FC (kick-off 7.00).

Former Clarets boss John Bond has linked up again with John Benson, his number two during Bond's ill-fated Turf Moor reign, to take up coaching and scouting duties with Wigan Athletic.

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