Hartlepool manager Graeme Lee has admitted feeling frustrated after some of the referee's decisions in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers.

Pools right back, Jamie Sterry was shown a straight red in stoppage time for a tackle on Aaron Collins. The free kick, which was a result of the foul, led to Bristol Rovers securing the win with a brilliant strike from Anthony Evans.

When speaking about the challenge which saw Sterry leave the field, Lee told Hartlepool Mail: "It's difficult. Obviously you're frustrated with the way the game had gone so you're trying to get back into it.

"I don't know if he hesitated or the lad just got across him. Sometimes just that slight hesitation can cost you."

However, the Pools boss was also keen to discuss the decision of the referee to deny Gavan Holohan a penalty. Despite protests from the fans, the midfielder was not awarded a penalty when he went down after a coming together with Rovers defender Cian Harries.

Commenting on that decision, Lee said: "I haven't seen it back but Gav Holohan has chested the ball and he's had his legs taken from under him.

"Anywhere else on the pitch, like I said to the referee, and it's a foul. So I don't understand why it wouldn't be in the box."

The Verdict: 

After seeing red, Sterry will now serve a three match suspension which will no doubt be a huge miss for United as one of their star players.

You can see why Lee would be frustrated following a loss. Had a penalty been given, maybe his side wouldn't have been a goal down heading into injury time and his side then conceded from the free kick following Sterry's dismissal too.

Hartlepool currently sit seventeenth in League Two and face Carlisle United and Stevenage in their next two games. Both teams currently sit below them in the league, so the Pools will have to adapt without Sterry in their squad to make sure they pick up some valuable points.