January 17 2009

Neil Warnock

Neil Warnock blasted referee Clive Penton after Crystal Palace's 4-1 loss at home to Ipswich.

The Palace manager was livid Penton refused to award his side a penalty in the second half for Tommy Miller's foul on Nick Carle.

Palace were 2-1 down at the time and Warnock says the referee was so unfit he could not keep up with play.

He fumed: "I'm disappointed. It was a major decision in the context of the game and he hasn't given it.

"Miller got nowhere near the ball and it's criminal, the decisions we're not getting at the moment. How the hell can't you see things like that?

"I think experienced referees should stay on but if Clive's not fit enough to keep up with play there, that's not on.

"That's not my fault, that's down to his fitness. I know it's his last year [as a Football League referee] but he has to be better than that.

"Games are changed by things like that. If it had happened at 3-1 or 4-1, then you wouldn't get any complaints. But 2-1? Dear me.

"I don't think we should have video evidence for penalties - I just think a referee should be able to see an incident like that and make the right decision."

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton said: "Hopefully we can be in the promotion shake-up. There's a bit of a gap developing but all the teams can beat other and that hasn't changed.

"We knew we had to come here and compete. The scoreline probably flattered us but we showed great togetherness, character and grit."