Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has questioned the refereeing pathway after his 10 men were beaten by an 89th-minute sucker-punch by Portsmouth.
Japhet Tanganga and Tom Cannon had sparked a comeback by the Blades after going 2-0 down – following goals from Zak Swanson and Adrien Segecic.
But Ebou Adams’ late strike prevented United from back-to-back victories.
Wilder’s ire at Oliver Langford – who also sent off two of his players last season – came after Hamze Choudhury was sent off in the first half for two yellow cards.
The first was a clear booking for hacking down the lively Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, but the second – for tripping the Chelsea loanee after a nutmeg – did not please the Blades’ manager.
Wilder said: “Where is Choudhury meant to go? There were a number of decisions which were incredibly frustrating.
“That is three players that have been sent off in the last two games he’s refereed us.
“Where are the young and up-and-coming referees who would be refereeing in the Championship now, instead of the ones that are just surviving?
“No doubt we will have another survivor ref on Saturday. Where is the quality? Where are the ones coming through?
“I like Simon Hooper [Saturday’s referee], but he has gone from bang to the Football League, through League Two, League One, Championship and into the Premier League. There is just a surviving group of referees that are doing that.
“We feel a little but hard done by after starting the game well. I thought we were outstanding to get back into the game and I felt fairly comfortable.
“It is a tough one for the players, but there is more frustration and anger towards somebody. We have to deal with it.”
Pompey should have been in cruise control after Swanson’s 25-yard top-corner net buster and Segecic’s tap-in.
But Tanganga swept one back, and Cannon smartly nodded in from a corner to stun the hosts.
Pompey struggled to create a third until the very end when substitute Adams scuffed in Segecic’s deflected cross.
Despite ending a run of three with a win, Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho was still angry at his side’s performance.
He said: “I am happy that we won the game but the nature and circumstances of it…we have a large amount to learn and a long way to come.
“It has been a tough few days, and we have managed to get three points, but you sit there and scratch your head at the decision-making.
“Some of the things we do are brilliant, and some others cost us in really important moments.
“I know there is so much more to come from the group.
“There was a little bit of relief when the winner went in, but there was fury through the game and I still am furious. I think the players are on the same page as me and that is why there was muted celebrations at the end.”
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