SYLVAIN Legwinski left The Hawthorns with a bruised right hand and, like the rest of the Town party, with a bruised heart as well.He was accused of deliberate handball when referee Clive Penton gave West Brom a decisive 52nd minute penalty.

By Elvin King

SYLVAIN Legwinski left The Hawthorns with a bruised right hand and, like the rest of the Town party, with a bruised heart as well.

He was accused of deliberate handball when referee Clive Penton gave West Brom a decisive 52nd minute penalty.

French midfielder Legwinski said: “I wish I was quick enough in thought and body to move my arm and get a hand to a ball struck with force from three yards away.

“If so I would be some athlete.

“My hand is blue with a bruise, and of course I did not handball intentionally.

“The referee said that I did, and that he would book me for it.

“It is his word that counts, and we had no option than to accept the blow.”

Skipper Jason De Vos agreed with Legwinski's assessment. The Canadian said: “The penalty award killed us.

“It is how things go sometimes, and I have seen referees give more free-kicks and penalties this season for similar instances.

“Sylvain was lunging to block the ball, and no way was it deliberate hand ball.

“We then pushed forward looking for an equaliser when West Brom caught us on the break for a second goal.

“But it was an encouraging display and we played some great stuff.”

De Vos can see Ipswich's goal-against record improving in 2007. He explained: “We now have a defensively minded midfielder in Sylvain. This is the type of player we have missed over the last few seasons.

“The manager has been working on us continuing to pass the ball, but to add a more resolute approach and become harder to beat.

“And it is coming.

“If we can start to score more goals we will be okay.”