IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell says his side ‘feel robbed’ after referee Dean Whitestone awarded a controversial penalty in this afternoon’s 2-2 draw at Cardiff.

The Blues may have extended their unbeaten run to five, but there is a slight feeling of disappointment after Peter Whittingham’s 72nd minute spot-kick denied Michael Chopra getting the winner against his former club.

Referee Whiteman awarded the penalty amidst mass appeals, taking an age to come to his decision after speaking to his linesman on that side.

After marching onto the pitch to confront the officials at the end, Jewell was asked what answers he had been given.

He said: “The way I see it, the linesman gave a corner the referee didn’t give anything and – after a mass of confusion during which Cardiff players and supporters shouted for a penalty – he comes and points to the spot. Don’t ask me how he got to that decision though.

“It’s handball against Carlos Edwards apparently. The ball’s been kicked against him from about a yard away and he’s given handball. It’s ridiculous decision, but there you go.

“After they got the equaliser obviously the crowd has lifted him, but before that we should have gone 3-1 up.”

After Jason Scotland had cancelled out Rudy Gestede’s header in the first half, there was also confusion surrounding Chopra’s headed goal soon after the break.

“They felt aggrieved at our second goal, but I’ve explained that to them,” said Jewell. The linesman put his flag up to let the referee know that it had crossed the line – there wasn’t even a question of offside.

“I just thought at times the referee looked a little bit out of his depth. At the end I just told him to get his story straight when I come and see him.

“Listen, referees have a really difficult job and they have bad days like players have bad days.

“It wasn’t like it was an instant decision though, he had time to confer and that’s the most annoying thing. I just don’t know how he came to that decision.

“If they had scored a great goal then fair enough, you’d take your hat off to them, but we feel a little bit robbed today because we were the better team.

“I’m sat here a little bit irked we didn’t get three points.”