Fuming Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth said referee Michael Bull was conned into giving the free kick that led to Newport County’s winning goal yesterday.

He acknowledged his side should have defended the set piece better, but said Bull should never have penalised Sido Jombati for a tangle with County striker Rene Howe.

Ainsworth bent the ear of the official as they headed off down the tunnel at full time, with the Blues boss saying later he felt his side should also have been given a penalty.

He said: “I don’t see how the referee’s given a foul against Sido in the corner. He’s been conned.

“But we have to defend the free kick. It’s hard to take that because the game turns on that. They packed the box out and defend a 2-1 lead – fair play to them.

“I don’t often do that [have a go at referees] – they have a tough job – but I thought the free kick for their goal was a terrible decision. Sam Wood was held in the box when the ball was bouncing round – it’s a definite penalty.

“You can’t base everything on these things. They are human beings and they make mistakes. It just seemed to be a costly one for us today.”