Barrow boss Pete Wild took aim at Carlisle United’s John-Kymani Gordon – claiming he should have been sent off for a “forearm smash”.

The Bluebirds manager was livid that United loan frontman Gordon was not dismissed after an alleged incident involving home defender Sam McClelland.

Wild said the match officials have promised retrospective action will be taken against the Carlisle forward.

The home boss, referring to the first-half moment in Carlisle’s 1-0 win at Holker Street, said: “It’s a forearm smash from Gordon into his face.

“The referee [James Bell] has assured me there will be retrospective action taken against Gordon and rightly so, you can’t go around smashing people in the face.

“He shouldn’t be on the pitch. As arrogant as the referee wanted to be – and he told me at half-time that he knows how to referee a football match…well, if you do, you’ve got to send him off.”

Wild, in his post-match interview with BBC Radio Cumbria, said McClelland’s half-time substitution was “enforced” as a result of his injuries.

After treatment following the 29th-minute moment, the defender had played on until half-time.

United boss Paul Simpson said he had not seen the alleged incident involving his Crystal Palace loanee.

He said: “I know Barrow were moaning about it but to be honest with you they were moaning about everything.

“I haven’t seen it, and that’s not me ducking the issue.

News and Star: Paul Simpson said Barrow's bench were moaning about everythingPaul Simpson said Barrow's bench were moaning about everything (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Jon Mellish tells me he got stamped on in the first half as well, so maybe they’ll do some retrospective action on that as well. I really don’t know.

“It was a hard-fought derby and I thought the best thing to come out of it was the way we kept our discipline. It could have boiled over.

“I thought they [Barrow] lost their discipline on the sidelines and they caused a little ruck at the end when Jamie Devitt and one of their centre-backs came head to head.

“I actually think the players were just joking if I’m going to be honest.

“I’m not surprised with things like that but if something has happened and the referee thinks something has to be done then we’ll deal with it.”

Wild, meanwhile, insisted ninth-placed Barrow – whose faint play-off hopes were ended by the defeat – were comfortably the better team despite going down to a Ben Barclay goal.

He said: “We’ve been far the better side, had loads of chances.

“Fair play to Carlisle, they defended their own box really well, but there was only one team should have won that.

“It’s the story of our season. The difference between us and Carlisle is they’re ruthless and we’ve not been ruthless. In terms of playing football, there’s nothing between the two sides.

“We are so close to being a play-off side but our ruthless streak in front of goal is what’s letting us down. But I can’t ask for any more than that.

“The [players] really took it to Carlisle, who’ve had a fantastic season. I’m just frustrated we didn’t get what we deserved.”

Wild admitted he was frustrated by the manner of United’s winner.

“Apart from their goal I don’t remember another shot on target [from Carlisle],” he added.

“We completely nullified them. But that is Carlisle’s strength, set-pieces. They’ve executed it well.

“We’re frustrated, because we’ve got to deal with that better.

“But we completely dominated the football match and I’m so frustrated the lads couldn’t get the ball over the line.”