Boss Jim Magilton was angry with referee Ray Lee and midfielder Simon Walton after the Blues' 2-1 defeat at Derby. Lee failed to red card Rams skipper Michael Johnson having earlier dismissed Walton for not dissimilar offences.

Magilton said: "I'm going to see the referee. I've no complaints about our red card - Simon's let his team down very badly and we're very, very disappointed with him - but by the laws of the game, explain to me why Michael Johnson stays on the pitch.

"He's clapping in at the back of Alan but he stays on the pitch. The freekick was awarded but no yellow card. I'm baffled.

"Apparently Billy Davies went in to see the referee at half-time because their first half goal was disallowed.

"Now I'm a rookie manager, I don't know the rules, but by all accounts aren't you supposed to wait half an hour after match before seeing the referee? That's another question I'll be asking.

"At the end of the day one man's irresponsibility has cost us, as well as a poor refereeing display.

"Michael Johnson is a top class pro and I've got the utmost respect for him. I don't want to see a soul sent off, but my man's been sent off and by the same rule so should Michael Johnson."

Magilton, who says that Walton will be fined for his sending off, was also unhappy at the way the referee handled Seth Johnson's foul on Owen Garvan: "Seth Johnson also went over the top on Owen Garvan, yet only got a yellow. It was a red card offence.

"I'll be sending a video to the referee so he can take a look, just like I will be sitting down with the players and watching the game because we can't carry on giving away goals from set-pieces, especially in the last seconds of games. It has to stop."

Derby boss Billy Davies refused to comment on the Michael Johnson incident and denied he went to see the referee at the break, although he admitted that a conversation took place: "I never went to see the ref. I spoke to him in the tunnel and asked him why he disallowed our goal because there was a disagreement between the linesman and the referee.

"I never went intentionally to see him but I came out at the same time as him and asked him his thoughts."

Davies says he still has a lot of work to do at Pride Park despite his side reaching fourth in the table after their sixth successive win: "I'm not being fooled. We have a massive job in hand. We can't fault effort, we can't fault discipline but we can't forget we have a squad that needs to improve and players that need to improve.

"It may take years and years to achieve. We're six months in and you can't fix everything in six months. I'll be keeping my feet firmly on the ground, along with my players.

"Our work ethic comes from the training ground and the standards we set. All that develops a gritty determination. We're trying to build that in a club that has been on its knees for years."

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