Salisbury manager Nick Holmes described Saturday's match at home to Cambridge United, in which his midfielder Michael Fowler was dismissed after 15 minutes and Jack Jeffery and Mark Beesley netted to give United a 2-0 win, as "a frustrating afternoon".

It was Salisbury's first home defeat since December, and Holmes commented, "The whole game hinged on the sending off. The referee saw it as a two-footed challenge with studs showing so he dismissed him.

"In my day," added the former Southampton midfielder, "it wouldn't have warranted a yellow card, but times have changed and you have to accept it and battle on. I'll have to have a look at it again - my initial thought was yes, he went in two-footed but I don't think his feet left the ground, it wasn't over the ball and there wasn't the intention to maim anyone.

"But that is the referee's decision and I can't say I agreed with many of them today. I don't like to be too critical of referees because it is a tough job but he got a lot of decisions wrong. I think he probably showed an air of arrogance out there.

"There's been a lot said of late about showing referees respect but when you saw the way he spoke to people and treated people out there, you have to ask whether respect has to be a two way thing."

Salisbury assistant manager Barry Blankley was animated on the touchline throughout much of the game and was banished to the stand during the second half by the referee, and Holmes commented, "If you act like he (referee David Phillips) did you will get a lot of verbals back.

"Barry Blankley asked him if he was going to add the time on for Cambridge's timewasting - albeit using a swear word in there - and the referee showed he had to be seen to be in charge. To put an end to the subject let's just say he was poor today and get back to the game.

"Up until then you hadn't caused us any problems, then all of a sudden in the space of five minutes you looked dangerous and got the first goal from a corner, which, whether we had ten or eleven on the field, you have to defend better.

"And the same can be said of the second goal," Holmes added. "There were people in the box when the ball came in and we should have cleared it.

"We gave away those goals poorly but I can't really be critical of my side in any other way because for 75 minutes they've fought against a very good, strong, hard working Cambridge side and created a few chances in the second half and had your keeper make some sharp saves. So I don't think they should feel bad on themselves."

Closing with his thoughts about United's chances of play-off success, Holmes was positive: "I think you are a very difficult side to beat. I've watched you about half a dozen times this season and if you make the play-offs - and I'm very sure you will - the side you play will certainly know that they've been in a game that's for sure.

"Let's just say, whoever you play, I won't be putting any money on them getting through."

Interview by David Gray

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