BRISTOL Rovers were good value for their EFL Trophy win but a flashpoint in the 64th minute was frustratingly familiar for Newport County AFC.

The Exiles trailed 1-0 when Shane McLoughlin got ready to whip a cross into the box and Omar Bogle was being held by James Wilson even before the Irishman had put boot to ball.

The Rovers defender, Newport-born and capped once by Wales, held Bogle's left arm and the back of his jersey, then grabbed him in a headlock when the ball was on its way.

READ MORE: Report from County's loss to Bristol Rovers

The striker pushed back and they both went tumbling close to the penalty spot. The ball landed to Bryn Morris, who forced a save, but the whistle had already gone.

Referee Farai Hallam pointed towards the other end rather than the spot, awarding the foul to the Gas.

“We can’t get a basic decision and sometimes you need the breaks and a bit of luck,” said County boss Graham Coughlan. “Omar was pulled to the ground, it was a stonewall penalty and we didn’t get it.

“The officiating is getting worse, it’s not the reason we lost to Bristol Rovers but it needs addressing and something needs to be done.

“When your striker is getting dragged to the ground week in and week out, enough is enough. I am getting peed off with it.”

South Wales Argus: BOOKED: County's Will Evans was booked for dissent against MK DonsBOOKED: County's Will Evans was booked for dissent against MK Dons (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The Rovers game came after a 0-0 draw against MK Dons in which the first-half display of Ben Atkinson left both sides scratching their heads.

Bogle and Will Evans were both booked for dissent in the first half after not getting decisions but they certainly weren’t the only players to vent their frustration at the officials.

Thankfully Mr Atkinson settled down and was better after the break but Coughlan has frequently been left exasperated, especially when it comes to the treatment of Bogle.

“It’s grating on people and it’s really annoying when you can’t get somebody to call a game properly. I would like to watch a game of football and come away from it thinking how good it was,” said the former centre-back.

“Over the last couple of years I have not been able to. No matter what standard you watch, the one thing you talk about is the officiating.”