Owls fume at ref as Leeds snatch victory

SHEFFIELD Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has called for an end to Premiership referees officiating in the Championship after his side’s controversial defeat to Leeds.

Steve Bennett, rated among England’s most respected top-flight officials, took charge of the Yorkshire derby but Sturrock felt his display cost Wednesday the game.

The Scot, who rarely criticises referees, said: “I’d like the Premiership to keep their own referees.

“There’s been too many games I’ve been to watch in the last year and a half — and too many games I’ve been involved with — and they don’t seem to be able to handle the step down.

“Obviously the pace of the game is a lot more in our league than in the Premiership and I just feel it would be very nice if they just left us alone and let us stick to our own referees.

“I feel strongly about this and I’ve had conversations with other Championship managers and they see exactly the same problems.

“I think it’s a subconscious thing and they seem to have real problems changing from the Premiership to this league.”

Sturrock’s anger stemmed from Bennett’s decision to send off Owls goalkeeper Brad Jones in the 67th minute.

Leeds striker David Healy took a tumble under the challenge of Jones and Bennett pointed to the spot before dismissing the Wednesday goalkeeper.

Not only did Healy appear offside, but Jones — on loan from Middlesbrough — made little contact with the Leeds striker in a challenge which appeared to be outside the box.

SHEFF WED: Jones, Coughlan, Simek, Bougherra, Spurr, Hills (Adamson 68), Whelan, O’Brien, Brunt (Lunt 82), Sam (Bullen 76), Burton.

LEEDS UTD: Warner, Kelly, Crainey, Butler, Kilgallon, Westlake, Lewis, Carole (Foxe 81), Derry, Healy, Moore.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).