Ipswich Witches team manager Pete Simmons believes referee Christina Turnbull contributed to his side's 50-39 defeat to Peterborough on Monday.

Simmons was unhappy with the exclusion of riders Danny King and Claus Vissing.

"I don't want to be sexist, but lady referees and our team just don't go together unfortunately," Simmons told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It's tough enough coming to the Show Ground and riding against Peterborough, let alone the referee as well."

King was excluded in heat three for a fall, while Vissing suffered the same fate after touching the tape in heat 14.

I don't want to be sexist, but lady referees and our team just don't go together unfortunately Ipswich Witches team manager Pete Simmons

Simmons was furious the Dane had not been given enough time to prepare for the heat, after getting the tape tangled in his front wheel.

It overshadowed an encouraging performance by Ipswich, who led the meeting after heat 10.

"We hadn't got to that point through luck," said Simmons.

"Obviously the wheels came off a bit there at the end and it's so near but so far again."

The Witches' next meeting is at top of the table Poole on 9 June.

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