GARETH Ainsworth has called for the offside rule to be clarified after saying a potential winning goal for Max Kretzschmar was incorrectly chalked off last night.

The linesman's flag appeared to go up too early as Kretzschmar fired home in the 85th minute after getting to the ball ahead of his offside team mate Josh Scowen, who didn't interfere with play.

Ainsworth said the goal, which would have put his side back in front against Swindon in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy area quarter final, should have been allowed to stand.

Wanderers were further left to rue the decision when Town scored an injury time winner.

It's the fourth time this season a stoppage time concession has cost Blues dear and Ainsworth said his team have to draw on last season, when his side were better equipped at seeing games out.

But it was the controversial offside decision that riled him most and the Blues boss said: "This offside rule, there's got to be some clarification on this because it's second phase and third phase and it's really confusing sometimes.

"From my opinion - which is only my opinion - I thought it was a genuine, perfect goal. I didn't see why it was disallowed at all.

"I have spoken to the referee after the game, and that will stay private between me and the referee. I don't want to get in trouble with that. I really believe we should have gone 2-1 up in this game.

"I'll have a look at the video but I can't believe anyone's interfered with Max's shot.

"We can't keep blaming these and it will even itself up - hopefully in March or April when we need it."

He added: "They have scored from a deflection and a real scramble at the end. People are going to question us seeing games out - and I will - because we did it fantastically last year.

"It has happened before. To see the game out is something we were very good at last year. We ran the clock down very well - nothing untoward, we made the right decisions on the ball. Hopefully we can get that back into our game because the other parts of our game have progressed really well."

Ainsworth admitted to being devastated at the end result, with a penalty shoot-out looking a virtual certainty until Nicky Ajose scored his second goal of the game for the hosts right at the death.

He said: "It's heartbreak because the lads have given everything tonight, and I believe at this moment in time we should be looking at some penalties being taken.

"I'm absolutely devastated. Everything went to plan, it's just that 90th minute winner for them. The performance was hard working, the tactics worked. We stifled Swindon - for all their possession, they didn't have many shots on goal. For want of a bit of luck we might be through.

"You can see they can play and going toe to toe would be difficult. We stifled them, we got them on the break and it was great to see.

"We took a bit of pressure second half. There weren't many shots on Matty [Ingram]'s goal. We performed well tonight."

Ainsworth added: "We've got a big game against Cheltenham now and I want everyone to get up - all the fans, all the players, get with me and let's go against Cheltenham."