Holloway insists Swindon Town's win at Rovers 'tarnished' by Drinan red card

Boss Ian Holloway insisted Swindon Town’s 3-0 victory at Bristol Rovers had been “completely tarnished” after frontman Aaron Drinan was sent off.

Joe Snowdon, Ollie Clarke and Drinan himself all scored within the opening 33 minutes at the Memorial Stadium to virtually end the game as a contest. Rovers had Kacper Lopata sent off three minutes later.

Drinan received his first booking for celebrating in front of the home supporters, then his second in the 58^th minute after going to ground under a challenge when he appeared to be pulled back.

And despite sealing a derby victory, Holloway was left baffled by that decision.

He said: "To be honest, it (the win) has been completely tarnished and I don't understand where the game is coming to.

"It is a brilliant goal, and your supporters are right down the other end, but you get booked for celebrating. That didn't seem right.

"Then, in the second half, we should have had two penalties with one handball which I have never seen anything like, and then another one on Aaron Drinan, and he gets another yellow.

"You can't go against (two bookings), so I am going to lose him for however many games.

"I think the referee has made an unbelievable mistake and I could not believe what I was seeing.

"It is so frustrating, and I will be on to the League Managers’ Association.

"I will probably be in trouble for what I have said, but I don't really care, because I think that it is an absolute abomination. That totally ruined the game for me.

"Where are you going to celebrate? He didn't go and goad them, he is not like that."

Victory over the Gas ensured Town remained third in the League Two table, two points behund leaders Walsall.

(Picture: Swindon Town FC Official YouTube Channel)