CONTROVERSIAL referee Barry Knight was remaining tight-lipped about Wednesday's play-off match today.

The 39-year-old official, who dished out 12 yellow cards, two red and awarded three penalties against Wanderers in the crucial play-off game would only respond with "no comment" to questions by the BEN.

He was back at work in Kent today doing his day job as a chartered surveyor.

His refereeing of the second-leg between Ipswich and Bolton came under stinging attack from the fans, civic leaders, MPs and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce.

And he has been dubbed "the most hated man in Bolton".

Mr Knight, from Orpington, has been blamed for Wanderers' 5-3 defeat in extra time.

Married Mr Knight, a father of three, first qualified as a referee in 1981 in the Woolwich and District League in London.

But he did not officiate at the very top level until this season when he was in charge of the Wimbledon v Middlesbrough match on August 10.

In an interview with his local paper, he told how he once came under a physical attack by angry fans after a match at Bournemouth.

Merit

He was chosen to referee Wednesday's match after coming through on a merit system during this season.

A Football League said: "We have independent assessors to mark referees.

"Clubs also mark them and make comments.

"When it comes to the big matches, we choose the referees who've done well under the assessment system and are among the most capable."

The FA is looking at videos of the match and post-match interviews by the managers before deciding on what action to take.

John Kirkby, the referee in charge of last season's play-off clash between Wanderers and Ipswich said he could sympathise with Mr Knight.

He said: "They are all pressure games, it's as simple as that.

"But when there is so much riding on a single match the stakes are that much higher.

"Sometimes it has a lot to do with the attitudes of the two teams on the day.

"But you just have to keep your concentration and be mentally strong throughout the 90 minutes and extra time.

"The adrenaline keeps you focused."

He said the match at Ipswich last year was one of the best he had ever refereed.