Cotterill slams "pernickety" ref

Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill was disappointed with the goalless draw against Middlesbrough, but insisted the referee hindered his side by not letting the game flow. David Nugent, Joel Ward and Dave Kitson missed decent chances for Portsmouth, while Barry Robson and substitute Marvin Emnes went close for Boro at Fratton Park. Cotterill said: "It was a horrible stop-start game. Any foul or goal kick and it took an age before the game was restarted. "I thought the ref was very pernickety with absolutely everything. "I thought there were a lot of silly fouls given for things like nudges. It's a strong game now. "I thought the referee had swallowed his whistle at one point. Every time he breathed in and out, he blew. That's just a joke for anyone who is reading, but it was one of those games."

Source: PA

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