"Disgusted" Joey Barton criticises referee after last-gasp Fleetwood Town defeat at Peterborough

For Town’s head coach, though, it was an underserved defeat as he felt Posh should not have ended the game with 11 men.

“I’m clearly disappointed because at 90 minutes the game was over,” Barton said.

“We controlled the game and seemed to be going back to Highbury with three well-deserved points. But the referee, from our point of view, had a really poor afternoon.

“I don’t think he ever had control of the game. Frankie Kent (Peterborough defender) elbowed Sam Stubbs across the face, but whether it was meant or not the referee should have consulted his linesman.

“We’ve seen two more elbows on Ched (Evans) but no action was taken. The challenge on him by (Nathan) Thompson was a red card.

“I’ve watched it back and, yes, the referee is on the wrong side of it but the fourth official is there to help him.

“We played them off the park but those challenges make it dangerous for my players. From our regard, I’m disgusted with some of the challenges that were made.”

Barton was still able to talk positively about his side’s performance, which he felt deserved more.

“Up until the last minute we deserved three points because we were light years ahead of them in many, many departments,” he added.

“If we had to play Peterborough again next Saturday I’d have no issues at all. They’re a good side, we’re a good side and we know where we are. We won here last season and we should have won here again today.”

Evans led the line superbly as Town’s lone striker, chasing every ball.

Barton added: “I actually took him off for his own protection really. He has a misguided reputation out there and he maybe doesn’t get the decisions for him that he should sometimes.”