ASTONISHED Alan Lee believes there is 'disharmony' among the Ipswich squad and could not believe his Crystal Palace side lost so heavily against his old club.

Derek Davis

ASTONISHED Alan Lee believes there is 'disharmony' among the Ipswich squad and could not believe his Crystal Palace side lost so heavily against his old club.

Lee scored what turned out to be a consolation goal for the Eagles in the 4-1 defeat but is adamant the game hinged on the referee's failure to award a penalty against Tommy Miller when it was just 2-1.

Lee said: “I can't believe we lost 4-1.

“We had the chances to get something from the game but the penalty decision changed the game.

“The referee had a big part to play and I was astounded and shocked that he didn't give it.

“It was so unjust.”

Owen Garvan had given Town the lead and David Norris also netted before Lee pulled one back. After the controversial decision not to award a penalty, Kevin Lisbie made it three and Clint Hill put through his own net in time added on.

Even so Lee was not entirely convinced by the club he left in August in a �600,000 switch.

Lee said: “It's hard to say when you're out there on the pitch, because you're not really concentrating on the opposition.

“But I thought we passed the ball better in the second half.

“It's just a pity that we gifted them a couple of goals.

“Even so, I still felt there was a bit of disharmony among their players and if we could get the ball in the right areas I was confident I'd get on the end of it.”

Palace boss Neil Warnock was livid that referee Clive Penton waved play on when Miller tripped Nick Carle as he was bearing down on the middle of goal and was taken out 10 yards out.

Warnock said: “This is at 2-1. Miller never touches the ball and he should have been sent off and we should have had a penalty.

“You talk about deciding moments in games. The referee should spot that.

“It was a major decision and he has not given it.

“He (Penton) will phone me up on Monday and apologise but he is entirely wrong.

“I know he is retiring at the end of the year and I can understand why.

“We have ended up being battered 4-1 which was harsh but it is not the end of the world.

“If it had happened at 3-1 or 4-1 it would not have mattered but at 2-1 when it should have been a penalty and a sending off it makes a big difference.”

Warnock was not happy with the first goal they conceded either with Owen Garvan scoring from a free kick won by Pablo Counago.

Warnock said: “It was not a free kick for the first goal either.

“It is criminal the decisions we are not getting at the moment. They say it evens itself out over a season, well we need to get some decisions soon.”

Funnily enough though Warnock did think the referee was right to overrule his assistant who had flagged for offside against Jose Fonte when Alan Lee scored.

He said: “The linesman gave offside because he thought he had touched it but he hadn't.”