Matt Clarke fears lower-division referees are flashing cards to copy what they see on the television.

Clarke was harshly sent off as City lost 3-1 to Shrewsbury yesterday - their third home defeat in a row.

Rookie official Peter Quinn booked the centre half twice in the space of a minute, as well as awarding a penalty against him.

Neither incident looked worthy of a yellow card as Clarke became the fifth City player to get their marching orders.

When speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, he said: "I'm absolutely disgusted. I've been sent off before with two yellows and felt that only one was justified but I've never been 100 per cent cheated like this.

"The first one for the penalty was the most blatant dive I've ever seen. He just collapsed to his knees and I thought he was the one getting booked for diving.

"Then I don't think the referee even saw the other incident. (Dave) Hibbert just touched me, clipped his own ankle and fell to the floor.

"I just think some refs watch Match of the Day and see a few yellow and red cards flying around and try to mimic that. I don't know what's in their head these days."

Stuart McCall reacted furiously to Clarke's dismissal and, having watched both incidents on DVD again, he remained convinced that the defender was innocent.

McCall fumed: "No disrespect to Paul Simpson and Shrewsbury but they haven't beaten us. It's sickening.

"There's no logic and common sense from the referee. I hate whinging about officials but it's just soul-destroying. I'm not making excuses; it's just glaringly obvious that he was wrong."

As confirmed earlier on www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk, City are hunting a new goalkeeper after McCall admitted that Simon Eastwood has gone back to Huddersfield.

"We've got a young back four and I'm just trying to find someone with more experience," he said to the Telegraph & Argus.

"Easty has shown great character because he's had an up and down spell but I'm sure it will stand him in good stead."

Meanwhile, director of operations David Baldwin thanked the volunteers who had helped clear ice from the pitch and around the stadium.

He said: "It was a fantastic response from the fans and staff. It's testament to them that other games were called off and we were on."