United: Ref ruins Barnet's big night

SIR Alex Ferguson slammed referee Richard Beeby for spoiling last night's 4-1 Carling Cup third round win against Barnet with an over-officious red card.

The official dismissed Barnet goalkeeper Ross Flitney after just 90 seconds for handling outside his area, even though Fifa guidelines state that a red card is only necessary if the offence denied a clear goalscoring opportunity - which it did not.

The red card, and the Liam Miller goal direct from the resultant free kick, put the dampers on Barnet's big night.

"Our players wanted a test and needed a test and after the boy got sent off and we scored from the free kick they didn't get that. It was a very, very harsh decision."

Flitney was given a standing ovation by a sympathetic 43,673 Old Trafford crowd, the lowest at the stadium for seven years.

Ferguson had special words for young strikers Giuseppe Rossi and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, both of whom scored.

"It was great to see Sylvan back because he suffered a badly-broken leg in May. He will get better, but last night he got his reward for his perseverance in training.

"And Rossi is a natural footballer, a natural front player. His awareness of space is very good and he is a marvellous finisher and hopefully that goal will help him."

Wes Brown came through the full 90 minutes with no obvious reaction after nine weeks out with a thigh problem.