Darren Sarll believes Aston Villa loanee Henry Cowans was unfairly booked for diving, saying the midfielder had to evade the challenge of Morecambe’s goalkeeper or suffer the consequences.

The Comet: Henry Cowans.Henry Cowans. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

Cowans was played into the Morecambe box by Matt Godden in the first half with keeper Barry Roche rushing off his line to challenge him.

Roche dived at Cowans’ feet with the Boro player going over during the challenge, but referee Richard Clark showed the 20-year-old a yellow card for diving.

Sarll, though, believed his player didn’t dive, but instead looked to get out of the way.

Sarll said: “Henry’s got a choice. He either allows the lad to sweep his leg, or get out of the way.

“There’s a complete difference between evading and diving. For me Henry evaded a 6ft 4in big man. He has to jump or allow his legs to be taken away and who knows what consequences come from that. I thought it was ridiculous actually.”

Goals from Godden, a first-half header, and Ben Kennedy, with a 30-yard strike, helped Boro to all three points, and Sarll said he was pleased with his side’s performance.

Sarll said: “I enjoyed the performance. I thought the players played well, I thought their energy was good.

“There was a nicer balance between possession and pressing today.”

Asked about the performances of youngsters Dale Gorman, who set up the goal for Godden, and Kennedy, Sarll said: “I’ve wanted to give the young ones a real go of late in a time where we’ve needed to make a few changes and evaluate what we’re doing.

“I thought it was a great ball by Dale Gorman. To pick someone out over the top [of a defender] from close range was a showcase of his technical ability.

“Ben did that twice Thursday in training, the exact same goal. It was no fluke.”