Stevenage manager Steve Evans criticised referee Anthony Backhouse after he sent off defender Nathan Thompson early on in the 2-0 League One defeat at lowly Reading.

Thompson saw red in only the 22nd minute for his second yellow card and Reading went on to ease past their 10-man opponents with a brace of goals from 20-year-old striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan either side of the interval.

Evans said: “We were down to 10 men and we had a few players on yellow cards and Reading had none for similar challenges. It was a mystery to me.

“I think that’s what refereeing provides, isn’t it – mysteries.

“For the second goal, we get beaten by a ball over the top that we wouldn’t normally concede. From then on it’s hard for us. We needed a little break to try to get back in the game.

“If it had stayed 1-0, we could have had a go and thrown a few men forward and gambled a bit. But when it’s 2-0, it’s a pretty much impossible task.

“In the end though, we can’t blame anyone else for the defeat but ourselves.

“But there was a game-changing decision [the red card], wasn’t there, that he [the referee] gets wrong.

“I’ll go and see him but there’s just been decisions that are baffling.”

Reading secured back-to-back home victories having defeated Cheltenham 1-0 on Tuesday.

Manager Ruben Selles said: “Our opponent was a really good team who we knew had had a perfect start to the season.

“We knew we had to match their physicality in certain situations, especially in the set-plays and the long balls.

“We then had to benefit from that with our own transitions. And we had to use our strengths in the game, I think the boys understood that.

“I think they understood perfectly the roles of everyone and so we were very happy with the performance and the three points.

“It is always important to try to get the first goal before half-time.

“But after the sending-off, we had to analyse how Stevenage would adjust to that. It’s not always easy against 10 players.

“One of the things we are learning as a team is what to do when we are facing those situations.

“When the opponent has one less player, we need to keep the ball and force them into some pressing situations. Like for the second goal, when we got that space.

“After that, it was just about keeping our tempo.

“Of course, it was a challenge for our youngsters – as it was in the last game [versus Cheltenham].

“We need to get used to whatever the opponent may propose and how you can match it.”

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley admitted his side are lacking in the final third after they were held to a third successive goalless draw.

The unbeaten Tangerines shared the spoils with Leyton Orient at Bloomfield Road, the promoted visitors claiming their first point of the season as a result.

Home striker Shayne Lavery came closest to finding a breakthrough, hitting the post in the 56th minute and seeing a late effort flash wide, while Orient goalkeeper Sam Howes was also in fine form.

And Critchley knows his side will have to find their cutting edge if they are to start turning draws into victories.

“Similar to the other night [against Port Vale], we’re just lacking that last bit in the final third,” he said.

“That little bit of quality, intelligence, a bit of luck, something falling for us.

“It is a frustrating 0-0 in a game we’d really be looking to have taken three points from.”

Despite having the better of the chances overall, Blackpool were grateful to goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw for keeping out Ruel Sotiriou’s header as Orient threatened.

Grimshaw also denied Theo Archibald from the edge of the area just after the half-hour mark as the hosts recorded a fifth clean sheet in as many matches in all competitions this season.

“I thought we started the game really well, we were on the front foot with a lot of regains,” Critchley added.

“We created good chances, forced a great save from the goalkeeper, and then we didn’t quite maintain that.

“They had a couple of chances, one through our mistake, one through a good bit of play from them.

“So the game wasn’t quite the way you’d want it to be.”

Critchley’s opposite number Richie Wellens hopes the hard-fought result turns into a turning point for his side while he felt they could have had more, with a penalty appeal turned down and George Moncur spurning a late opportunity.

“That was more than a fine display,” Wellens said.

“I think at times, in patches, we were really, really good.

“Our season starts now with the first point and first clean sheet.

“Defensively, we performed a lot better than what we have done in recent weeks in terms of our intensity getting to the ball, making sure there is no free headers or no free shots in or around our box.

“There a lot of positives to take from that.

“I think we should have won the game. We had the two best chances, one where Joe Pigott is about to put it into the net, and I think it’s a penalty, and George Moncur, with five or six minutes to go. We should score that.”

John Mousinho admitted Portsmouth’s goalless draw at home to winless Cheltenham could have been called off after a fan had to come out of the stands to run the line after two officials hobbled off injured.

The Robins produced a stubborn defensive display to pick up their first point of the season but it was the officials who stole the limelight when not one but two assistant referees limped off.

Fourth official Stephen Brown took over in the first half, but then he had to be replaced early in the second as an appeal was made for a qualified referee to volunteer, leading to 21 minutes of stoppage time.

Mousinho said: “I thought there was a chance the game could be called off because nobody knew what the affiliation of the fan who took over was.

“I was happy because he came down from our South Stand, so fair play to Cheltenham because they could have refused to play on.

“We were not quite on our game and it was a good opportunity for them to secure a point, which they did.

“Putting the game into words, up until the final third we were totally dominant.

“I don’t think we did quite enough to win the game, and we must start breaking these teams down. They come and play a certain way, which is frustrating, but we must overcome that.”

Cheltenham arrived without a win or a goal to their name and it showed, with no shots on targets in the opening half.

Pompey struggled to break down a five-man defence, and their two chances of note were in the seventh minute when a Connor Ogilvie shot flew wide, and an 11th-minute long-range effort from Joe Rafferty, saved by Luke Southwood.

Pompey came out fighting in the second half and Regan Poole thought he had scored with a header, but the ball hit a post and flew straight into goalkeeper Southwood’s arms.

Not even the lengthy stoppage-time period could produce a goal.

Cheltenham boss Wade Elliott said: “It was an outstanding performance from the team today.

“Over the past three or four seasons, a Cheltenham performance would be seen as gritty, organised, charismatic, one that carried a threat, and I thought we were all those things today.”

“I am very pleased that we are going home with a point.

“You could see that everybody played their part. There’s a spirit and camaraderie. There’s some tired bodies with wounds, limps and strains. It’s a tough league, and it’s been a tough start, with Saturday and midweek games.

“It will be nice to not have a game until next Saturday, which will give the players time to recover.”

“I thought the substitute assistant was the best we’ve had.”

Andy Crosby praised Port Vale’s second-half display as they finally ended their wait for a League One away win.

Funso Ojo’s 87th-minute goal, tapping in from close range after Josh Thomas was initially denied by Ashley Maynard-Brewer, clinched a 3-2 victory over Charlton.

James Wilson and Ethan Chislett struck within the space of two minutes early in the second period to wipe out Alfie May’s opener.

Vale, smashed 7-0 by Barnsley on the opening day of the season, won on the road in the league for the first time since January 1.

Manager Crosby said: “This is a different group. It is in its infancy. There are only four players in the 18 who played here four months ago – that’s 14 new players. They deserve all the rewards.

“Credit to the players, it was a really good response to a poor opening 30 minutes when we lacked a little bit of energy and kept turning the ball over to Charlton.

“I said to the players at half-time: ‘We’re lucky it’s 1-0’.

“It was an excellent second half. It’s a great three points for us.

“It’s a good start, that’s all it is. When you’ve been defeated like we were in the first game, I said to the boys that the only way is up.”

On the winning goal, he added: “Josh has that power and pace when the game gets a little more stretched. He makes it difficult for the defender (Nathan Asiimwe), who makes the error. Josh showed great composure and Funso runs from I don’t know how far away – that’s what we train for, for those moments.”

It was a fourth straight defeat in all competitions for the Addicks, who drop to 18th in the standings.

Teenage striker Daniel Kanu netted for the second successive match to make it 2-2 in the 71st minute, but unconvincing defending once again was punished.

Charlton manager Dean Holden said: “We got a little bit careless with the ball. We invited the pressure on.

“After you get the first goal I want to see us take the game away from the opposition.

“The two goals we’ve conceded are really poor errors. You’ll never find me talking about individuals.

“We got back into it with a wonderful header from Daniel Kanu. We’ve created enough to win the game.

“We’re disappointed with two defeats at home in four days – no-one wants to see that. There’s no magic formula, we’ll keep working.

“We should have more points on the board. We’re very light, in terms of numbers. We’ve got what we’ve got at the moment.

“There are no excuses. The free week this week is good. The fans will have no complaints about the commitment – there are just glaring mistakes which we’re being punished for.

“The majority of the first period was played in their half. When you’ve only got a slender lead you are always at the mercy of a mistake or two.”

Derby head coach Paul Warne admitted his team are some way off becoming a “top three” side despite their 1-0 win over Fleetwood.

Warne celebrated a home victory for the first time this season but Fleetwood made them sweat after Martyn Waghorn scored for the second game running.

Waghorn pounced in the 23rd minute after Conor Washington’s shot was deflected into his path and that proved the difference between the teams.

Fleetwood had chances, with Jayden Stockley heading against a post at the end of the first half before substitute Promise Omochere was denied by Joe Wildsmith in the 72nd minute.

Wildsmith made another good save from Junior Quitirna before Derby were able to celebrate at the final whistle.

Warne said: “It wasn’t our best performance and I‘m not even sure it was our best performance of the season but there are different ways to win and if ever there was a game to sum League One up it was probably today.

“In League One if you go 1-0 up and don’t get the second goal every single team you play is going to cross the ball and cause problems. We will play a lot better and lose so it’s just nice to get the win.

“I think everyone is giving their all, I’m not criticising it but it’s not a top-three team, that is my honest truth, you can’t ask players to play 46 games flat out, it’s not possible.

“They need help and we need to get bodies in with a bit of pace to make us a better team.”

Warne revealed he will be without three players, including key midfielder Max Bird, for up to eight weeks due to injuries.

“We’ve lost two right wing-backs and we’ve only got three wing-backs in the building and we’ve lost potentially our best player in the middle of the park so it is a massive blow but sometimes out of adversity comes something, the lads dug in and I’d like to dedicate the win to Birdy because I feel for him.”

Fleetwood head coach Scott Brown said: “We controlled the game for long periods but we switch off for that one second yet again and we’re not ruthless enough in the final third.

“You can’t ever fault the lads effort or the performance but it’s that final third which is killing us at the moment. We lose one goal and we don’t really look like we are going to score.

“I’m happy with performance levels and happy with the work rate but just not happy with that little bit of quality in the final third and we just need that little bit of luck.”

Oxford boss Liam Manning praised his side’s mental and physical contributions in what he felt was a “terrific performance” at Barnsley.

Following a disappointing start to the season, Oxford have now recorded three successive wins after Cameron Brannagan’s early penalty, a Jordan Williams own goal and Tyler Goodrham’s late effort earned them a 3-1 win at Oakwell.

Manning said: “It was a terrific performance. There were some challenges in the first half, in the set-up out of possession where they caused us a few problems.

“Credit to the lads because they problem-solve quite well in terms of how to deal with it.

“I thought we shifted the momentum in the first half back in our favour by passing the ball with a bit of quality.

“Going in at half-time we were able to re-focus and reset, get the group together and make a clear plan for the second half.

“Out of possession, I thought we showed a real togetherness and real compactness and defended really well.

“In possession, I thought we carried a threat throughout the whole game.

“Me being critical, I thought we missed a few too many chances, but overall it’s been a really tough week and what we saw there is a group of lads who are all together.

“They had to dig deep and go to a place where they had to push themselves and physically it probably hurt a little bit. If you want to win games, you have to go there regularly.”

Barnsley head coach Neill Collins, whose side made it 2-1 when Devante Cole pulled a goal back in the 70th minute, felt they could have got something out of the game.

He said: “I actually think the game was there for us. I think even in spite of us not being at our best, we could have won that game.

“We started a little slowly, made a couple of strange decisions, lost the penalty, but then looked like we could really hurt Oxford.

“We got ourselves in some fantastic opportunities, but didn’t get the goal. I think if we’d have shown any quality in the second half, we’d have been able to get something out of the game.

“We were victims of our own downfall in so many circumstances today. Players just weren’t able to execute things we know we can do. The reasons for that could be wide and varied.

“Ultimately, there were too many good players playing way below themselves. I don’t think we really played with any quality.

“I thought Devante was excellent. I’m sure the fans would appreciate that that’s what we’d expect from 11 players. We didn’t get the spirit and desire that Devante showed.

“I think it’s probably been below-par. I think there are some basic elements you would expect which we’re not getting.

“When we assess it, we’ll feel that there’s a lot of players and units in the team that we need more from.”

Darren Ferguson said Peterborough’s quality in the final third was “nowhere near good enough” after their perfect start to the Sky Bet League One season was ended by local rivals Northampton.

Posh were the better side for much of the game at Sixfields but missed a string of chances before being undone by Mitch Pinnock’s remarkable late winner for a 1-0 defeat.

“It’s a really sore one because you’re playing against your rivals and it’s a big game for the club and a big game for the fans,” said Ferguson. “We haven’t lost here in a while but now we have and it’s a sore result.

“I have no idea whether or not if their goal crossed the line even after watching the video. The linesman has made a big call from a distance but that wasn’t the reason why we lost.

“The quality and the tempo and our decision-making, just the basics, weren’t good enough in the final third. We weren’t ruthless enough. The game could be over after 10 minutes because we had two absolute sitters.

“Our quality wasn’t there, which is rare. I warned the players how the game would go if we didn’t get an early goal and unfortunately I was right.

“Kwame Poku was our best player, he played quickly and got them on the back foot, but I felt we didn’t look like scoring and that’s why we made the subs.

“Our quality in the final third was nowhere near good enough and it’s a big missed opportunity for us.”

Pinnock’s volley from the best part of 40 yards, which was carried over the line by goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic, gave Northampton a first win over their rivals since 2006.

“It obviously feels good and I’m just pleased to get our first win of the season,” said manager Jon Brady. “The work ethic from the players was absolutely fantastic against a very good side.

“They are a top team and full respect for them and the way they play. They made us work hard for it but I thought we really grew into the game.

“I didn’t think we were that great in the first 20, 25 minutes but we got better and gained some confidence, and we’re also fitter now and I feel the players are believing in themselves and what we want to do. We grew into the game and we got better.

“If you look at the fixtures we’ve had, we’ve played four teams who would be in the top eight without Wigan’s points deduction so it’s been a baptism of fire, but it’s great to get our first win on the board.

“The last 15 minutes, our fans were incredible and they gave us that extra energy when we needed it. They had some chances but to reduce them to only one shot on target is an immense achievement.”

Mark Bonner hailed the quality of his new-look Cambridge squad after substitutes Fejiri Okenabirhie and Sullay Kaikai scored late to secure a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers and send the Us top of League One.

Okenabirhie netted his first league goal for the club with a curling finish in the 78th minute before summer signing Kaikai scored in stoppage time to seal a third win in four and consign Rovers to a first league defeat of the season.

After a summer of change at the Abbey Stadium, with 10 players leaving the club and six arriving, Bonner is happy with the options at his disposal.

“I think with the quality of the players we have we’re in a good position, and the impact Fejiri and Sullay had when they came on was outstanding,” he said.

“You need those attacking options off the bench. Fejiri is in a good place at the moment and that was a brilliant finish, but there were good performances all over the pitch.

“From start to finish the players did everything we asked, they carried out the game plan and we looked a really good team.

“We were patient, we had some good attacking situations and our defensive structure was strong. That’s three clean sheets in four games, which we’re really pleased with.”

It was Cambridge’s 2,000th game in the Football League, and they were indebted to goalkeeper Jack Stevens for a crucial save from Aaron Collins in the second half when the scores were level.

Collins raced clear on goal in the 68th minute after a long ball forward from Tristan Crama, but Stevens stood up well to block his shot.

Prior to that there had been little by way of goalmouth incident, but Okenabirhie made the breakthrough in the 78th minute with a fine finish after good work from Kaikai and Jack Lankester.

Then in the 96th minute, with Rovers on the attack in search of an equaliser, Cambridge broke and George Thomas and Okenabirhie combined to leave Kaikai with a simple finish.

Bristol Rovers assistant manager Andy Mangan said: “Credit goes to Cambridge because they came with a game plan and it has worked.

“We didn’t take our chances and we need to be better in all departments. We had opportunities but we never really got going properly today. We’ve got to move the ball quicker and try and pull them apart, and these are areas we need to develop.

“We’ve got a strong squad, probably the strongest Bristol Rovers has ever had, and with that comes pressure. Today we’re frustrated because we didn’t put enough pressure on Cambridge, but we need to stick together – we’re a new group and today we’ve seen there are things we need to improve on.”

Burton assistant manager John Dreyer believes Max Crocombe staked a claim to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper after a superb performance in their goalless draw at Wycombe.

Crocombe, a summer signing from Grimsby, made his first start for Burton having replaced the injured Jamal Blackman from the bench during Tuesday night’s defeat at Shrewsbury.

The 30-year-old New Zealander made a succession of fine saves at Adams Park to earn his team their first point of the season at the fourth attempt.

Dreyer, speaking to the media after Brewers boss Dino Maamria was sent off following the final whistle for dissent, said: “He was terrific, I think, in his all-round game.

“His kicking was very good, he commanded his box, he gathered crosses and free-kicks, he made an outstanding point-blank save – I think he was offside coming from the left-hand side but he was fantastic.

“He really staked a claim for that No 1 shirt.

“We had to keep to a game plan, we had to stay solid and we knew at some point there would be a chance there, we played a patient game and we had some chances.

“Kwadwo Baah came on and had a couple of good touches and a really good chance fell to the skipper (John Brayford) late on that probably fell to his wrong foot but we still had chance among that solid team performance.”

Crocombe’s first chance to shine came after 16 minutes when he did brilliantly to tip away a stunning Sam Vokes volley that looked to have beaten him.

Wycombe stopper Max Stryjek then had to deny Mason Bennett an opening goal for Burton early in the second half before Crocombe thwarted the hosts again by saving well from Dale Taylor.

He then stood strong to keep out an admittedly offside Brandon Hanlan’s close-range effort before Brayford almost snatched it for the Brewers in stoppage time when he shot just wide.

Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield said: “I felt like in the first half we were obviously the team in the ascendency.

“We were playing the game we wanted to; we wanted to take the game to Burton and hit them early and I felt like we did that in the first half.

“Obviously, no two halves are ever the same and the game changed a bit second half – it was very disjointed in terms of all the breakages in play, which are supposedly getting cut out but obviously weren’t this afternoon.

“All the stoppages and waiting for long throws, and all the rest of it, but we have to be respectful of the point, we’re pleased with the point and we’re still growing and learning as a group.

“We missed a lot of pre-season so we’re still getting the group together.”

Wycombe were frustrated by the performance of Burton goalkeeper Max Crocombe as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Adams Park.

Crocombe’s heroics between the posts helped earn the Brewers their first point of the season in League One and deny the Chairboys what they felt would have been a deserved second win of the week.

Sam Vokes almost struck a stunning opening goal for Wycombe after 16 minutes when his volley from Kane Vincent-Young’s pass was brilliantly tipped away by Crocombe.

It was the closest either team came in a first half that tailed off but Burton’s Mason Bennett almost broke the deadlock eight minutes after the restart when he drew a good save from Max Stryjek.

Dale Taylor, on loan at the Brewers last season, then almost struck for the second game running for the Chairboys but a strong arm by Crocombe kept out his effort.

The New Zealand stopper then denied substitute Brandon Hanlan from point-blank range, although unbeknown to him the offside flag had been raised.

Ethan Hamilton scored the winner to help Lincoln to a 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury in League One.

The recent signing from Accrington struck his first goal for the club to stretch the Imps’ unbeaten league run to three games.

The hosts went close on the half-hour mark when Jordan Shipley drove a low cross into the heart of the box, which Ryan Bowman met but turned wide.

Shrewsbury had another chance two minutes later when Dan Udoh played a creative ball over the top to Taylor Perry.

The young midfielder darted into the box but Lukas Jensen blocked his close-range effort.

The Imps went close in the 55th minute when the ball landed at the feet of Hamilton on the edge of the box but Marko Marosi parried his effort away.

Shrewsbury responded a minute later from a corner, which reached Chey Dunkley in the middle of the box. The Shrews skipper’s header looked destined for the top corner but Jensen managed to get a hand to it.

The visitors took the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining when Hamilton found the bottom corner from inside the box.

A fan had to come out of the crowd to take over as assistant referee as Portsmouth were held to a goalless draw by Cheltenham.

The Robins produced a stubborn defensive display at Fratton Park to pick up their first point of the season.

But it was the officials who stole the limelight when not one but two assistant referees limped off through injury.

Fourth official Stephen Brown took over in the first half, but he then had to be replaced early in the second as an appeal was issued for a qualified referee to volunteer, leading to 21 minutes of stoppage time.

Cheltenham arrived without a win or a goal to their name and it showed, with no shots on targets in the opening half.

Pompey struggled to break down a five-man defence and their two chances of note were in the seventh minute, when a Connor Ogilvie shot flew wide, and an 11th-minute effort from Joe Rafferty, whose shot from outside the box was saved by Luke Southwood.

Pompey came out fighting in the second half and Regan Poole thought he had scored with a header, but the ball hit a post and flew straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Not even the lengthy period of stoppage time could produce a goal.

Unbeaten Blackpool registered a third consecutive 0-0 draw in League One as they were held at home by Leyton Orient.

Goalkeepers Dan Grimshaw and Sam Howes both produced excellent performances to ensure the deadlock was not broken and earn newly-promoted Orient their first point of the season.

Shayne Lavery went close to giving Blackpool a fourth-minute lead but Howes was on hand to deny him.

At the other end, Grimshaw superbly kept out Ruel Sotiriou’s header before Joe Pigott fired the rebound over.

Grimshaw also had to be alert just after the half-hour mark, saving Theo Archibald’s first-time shot from the edge of the area.

Lavery then struck the woodwork in the 56th minute, hitting the post after Howes had saved Albie Morgan’s effort.

Orient pushed hard for a winner late on but they were unable to find their way past a Blackpool defence still yet to concede a goal across five games in all competitions.

The hosts nearly snatched all three points in the dying moments but Lavery’s attempt went inches wide.

Ten-man Stevenage surrendered their 100 per cent start to the League One season when they were beaten 2-0 at struggling Reading.

Stevenage defender Nathan Thompson was sent off for a second yellow card in the 22nd minute and Reading took advantage when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan nodded home in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.

Ehibhatiomhan, 20, tapped in his second goal – and fourth of the campaign – in the 57th minute to secure Reading’s second successive victory.

Stevenage had opened their league season with three successive wins but they were rocked when Thompson received a second yellow, then red, for a late challenge on Harvey Knibbs.

They responded positively, with home keeper David Button having to make fine saves to deny Aaron Pressley and Jordan Roberts.

Reading, deducted one point by the EFL on Wednesday for financial breaches last season, gradually regained control and were rewarded when Ehibhatiomhan headed home firmly from a Charlie Savage corner.

Stevenage offered little in the second half and were undone again by Ehibhatiomhan, who touched in after keeper Krisztian Hegyi had parried Amadou Mbengue’s cross-shot.

Port Vale celebrated their first League One away win since January 1 as Funso Ojo’s 87th-minute goal settled an end-to-end 3-2 win over Charlton.

Summer signing Alfie May opened his goal account for Charlton in the 10th minute. The striker rifled his penalty home after referee Sunny Singh Gill ruled that keeper Connor Ripley had impeded Daniel Kanu.

Alex Iacovitti cleared a Corey Blackett-Taylor shot off his goal line as the home team dominated the opening quarter.

But Vale produced a quickfire double in the early stages of the second half.

First James Wilson headed Ethan Chislett’s excellent free-kick beyond Ashley Maynard-Brewer then moments later, Charlton’s defence crumbled and Chislett went through to emphatically finish.

The Addicks levelled in the 71st minute, Daniel Kanu producing a deft header from Blackett-Taylor’s cross for his second goal of the week.

Ojo ensured Vale ended a 12-game winless league run on the road with a late clincher. Maynard-Brewer bravely saved at the feet of substitute Josh Thomas but he was able to guide the loose ball back across for a simple tap-in.