RICHIE Wellens had no complaints regarding Danny Mayor’s poor reaction to Canice Carroll on Saturday, and instead has called for a rule change - stating it is impossible for players to control ‘heat of the moment’ behaviour.

Mayor was correctly sent off in the eyes of the law after violently lunging both hands in Carroll’s face following a poorly timed midfield tackle by the Brentford loanee.

The sending off was Mayor’s first in five years. And while Wellens’ animated reaction to the incident on the touchline was clear to see, he had sympathy for the 28-year-old winger following the full-time whistle.

“I’ve been in Danny Mayor’s position as a player,” said Wellens.

“We didn’t get fouls, Bury didn’t get fouls. I’m not going to say (what I thought about the referee).

“Canice didn’t want Danny (Mayor) to break free, and it was a booking. I’ve been done as a player similar to how Danny was.

“You want to react the way he did. We all know you can’t do that.

“Maybe the rules need to be changed – you don’t have time to think regarding retaliation.

“It’s just an instinctive reaction. We’ve won the game, so we don’t talk about the referee.

“But we should’ve gone into the break two or three goals up. Decisions didn’t go our way.”

The 39-year-old’s reasoning behind his view was backed up by his belief that you cannot teach discipline, and it is the players responsibility to control their own behaviour.

Bury boss Ryan Lowe confirmed he will not appeal Mayor’s red card. But Wellens pointed blame at referee Scott Oldham for building up frustration in both camps leading up to the incident.

He added: “How are you supposed to teach not reacting?

“It was heat of the moment. No matter what sport you play, if someone does something like that to you, your initial reaction is to get up an do what Danny Mayor did.

“The referee should’ve had a hold of the game before the incident.”

Meanwhile, the defensive improvements of Dion Conroy and Luke Woolfenden continue to please the Town boss – and Conroy was rewarded for his efforts of late by leading the team out as captain.

Bury’s goal can be dissected as a momentary lapse of shape. But, in general, the Town boss remains pleased with his two men in front of goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

He said: “They (Dion Conroy and Luke Woolfenden) are two young players with huge potential, massive potential.

“They’re taking onboard the information. I can only ask Dion to take onboard what I say, then it’s up to him to execute that.

“He’s been brilliant, and it’s why I’ve given him the captaincy. Luke Woolfenden will have a good future in the game too.”