SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner called on referees to crack down on consistent fouling after seven yellow cards were handed out in the 1-1 draw at home to Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

Tyreece Simpson’s curling shot from the edge of the box put Swindon in front but Sam Finley’s equaliser 10 minutes before half-time ensured the points were shared in Wiltshire.

The number of bookings across 90 minutes – six of them for Rovers – highlighted the emotional intensity of the derby encounter, with neither team able to find the consistency in attack required as a goalless second half was played out.

Following the game, Garner said: “I’ve not seen anything back but I thought there were a few bad tackles in the game.

“I wouldn’t like to comment properly without seeing anything back, but that number of yellow cards in the game is a lot, and I think there was a lot of consistent fouling.

“Jonny Williams was targeted - he was fouled time and time again, and I would like to see officials being stronger with that.

“First of all, in regards to the welfare of the players, and secondly to let the game flow and be entertaining for the supporters.”

The former Rovers boss felt his team kept their emotions largely in check and did well to see only Ellis Iandolo booked for an overzealous challenge early in the second half.

Discussing Rovers’ game plan, Garner said: “They came to be aggressive, they came to try and disrupt.

“We have to look at ourselves and see how we can be better at that.

“Hopefully, the officials will look at themselves and say: “how do we allow the game to flow more and allow teams that want to play football to be given the opportunity to do so?

“I’m not saying teams can’t press us or get after us - of course they can - but it’s just the repeated fouls and disruption of the game. That’s what I’d like to see taken out.”