A FURIOUS Darren Ferguson thought Oxford United’s winner should not have stood – because the final whistle should have already gone.

Josh Ruffels scored the only goal of the game against Doncaster Rovers with a strike in the sixth minute of stoppage-time.

The fourth official had only indicated there would be a minimum of three minutes added on.

It was one of several complaints Ferguson had about the game and was planning to see referee Sebastian Stockbridge after the game for an explanation.

He said: “The fourth official puts up three minutes and we play six and a half.

“He gave them a penalty when it was never a penalty – he gave it because they didn’t get one in the first half and that was never a penalty.

“The ball was clearly out of play (in the build-up to the goal). The game should be finished by the time the boy puts it in the net.

“It’s painful, really painful in the dressing room, because the game’s about winning.

“We can go on about the performance as much as we want, but we’ve lost and we shouldn’t have.

“I’m going into see them, because I can’t accept that.

“These people have got to do their jobs, I just can’t understand six and a half minutes. It’s bizarre.”

Ferguson had a point about United’s penalty, where the infringement on Jack Payne, who then saw his spot kick saved, appeared to take place just outside the box.

But on his main argument he neglected to mention there had been a lengthy stoppage after the 90-minute mark so Harry Toffolo could receive treatment.

U’s boss Pep Clotet said: “Whatever happens when you get to the 90, if you give three minutes it means if nothing happens during the injury time then it will be three minutes.

“But if something happens then he will add it on top. It’s the referee who decides.”

He added: “I think it was a really tough game for the ref.

“I think it was a clear penalty on Wes (in the first half) and the penalty on Jack I couldn’t see from where I was.

“I had my doubts because it was on the line and could have been outside the box, but it didn’t affect the game because we missed it.”