Argyle boss Cleverley set for third touchline ban

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley is set to face a third touchline ban of the season after being sent to the stands in the 4-3 Vertu Trophy win at Bristol Rovers.

The Pilgrims boss was shown two yellow cards in quick succession by referee Andrew Humphries shortly before half-time.

Cleverley was booked for comments he appeared to make when the official changed his decision to award Argyle a free-kick after Lorent Tolaj and Rovers captain Alfie Kilgour challenged for the ball.

It appeared that the Pilgrims had initially been awarded a free-kick before the decision was overturned.

Cleverley was then given a second yellow card and was forced to watch the game on a feed in the changing rooms after what appeared to be more comments towards the official.

"I think the gaffer's passion shows through and his desire to want this football club to be successful," first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell told BBC Radio Devon.

"I thought the first one was really harsh, I'm not sure what the second one was all about, but it looked very, very harsh for me."

Cleverley has already been sent off once this season, in the 3-2 League One win at Luton Town in September, which saw him banned for two games.

He was also forced to watch a game from the stands in December after picking up a third booking.

"We were up thinking that's a free-kick to us and expecting us to be able to put the ball in the box, put them under pressure and the the referee's pointed the other way," added Nancekivell, who took on press duties as rules forbid sent-off coaches from conducting post-match media interviews.

"He's made his decision, it seemed a bit bizarre to me, but it's not an easy job being a referee, is it?

"He (Cleverley) was upset with the referee's decision and we have to move on and accept what's happened."

CORRECTION: The initial version of this article stated that Alex Chilowicz was the referee for the Bristol Rovers v Plymouth game. It was in fact Andrew Humphries.