Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt had to bite his tongue after a highly frustrating afternoon for his side at Torquay United, which ended in a 4-2 defeat.

With the game locked at 1-1 heading towards half-time, a controversial penalty decision was compounded with the sending-off of John Rooney for a deliberate handball in the area - much to the bemusement of both sides.

"Everyone here has seen what’s happened," Evatt said. "I can’t say much as I don’t want to get in trouble. He has made a superb tackle and he certainly hasn’t stopped it going in with his hand."

"We will definitely appeal and if there is any justice we will win that appeal. Their players came off the pitch shaking their heads in disbelief at half-time."

With Evatt confirming after the game that the club will be submitting an appeal against the red card, they will be hoping he is available for the Bluebirds trip to Victoria Road to face Dagenham on Tuesday night.

However, even a successful appeal will only go so far in easing the Bluebirds frustrations from last Saturday's game, with a valiant second half effort with ten men ultimately not enough to earn them a point.

Despite the result, the Bluebirds boss was full of praise for his side’s efforts.

Evatt said: "What I will say is that my side fought so hard, especially being down to ten men and I’m so proud of them for that second half performance.

"We are going to have negativity and have obstacles put in our way, but if they keep showing me what they showed second half then we will have a successful season.

"It could have gone either way in that second half and that’s a testament to their performance despite the adversity."

Evatt was also quick to praise the 76 supporters who had made the 700-mile round trip to Devon.

He said: “The support was magnificent today and I have to say a huge thanks to them. Their backing means a lot to me, to the players and to the club.

"It’s a two way street though and I think we have shown that we can do our bit on the pitch to reward them.”