Paul Jewell was left fuming after Stuart Attwell denied Derby a last-gasp winner against Forest.
Derby boss fuming after another Attwell error prevents late winner
Manager Paul Jewell was left fuming after referee Stuart Attwell denied Derby a last-gasp winner in their 1-1 draw with 10-man Nottingham Forest.
There was a dramatic finish to the first East Midlands derby for almost four years as the Rams were awarded a 93rd-minute penalty for handball against Luke Chambers - moments before Miles Addison headed the loose ball into the net.
Former Derby goalkeeper Lee Camp pulled off a superb save from Nacer Barazite's spot-kick before Addison headed home from a Barazite corner.
The 25-year-old Attwell, who has been nominated to the Fifa list by the FA despite awarding Reading's 'ghost goal' against Watford in September, cut short Derby's celebrations though.
It was difficult to spot where a foul had been committed although Attwell attempted to explain the decision to Jewell after the match.
"I spoke to the referee and he said it was a push but he is just guessing isn't he? Three or four of our players went for the ball and he says he has seen a push," said Jewell.
Optical illusion
"It must have been an optical illusion if it is. If you can't see that it is a goal you shouldn't be on the pitch refereeing.
"It was a great header and a great corner," he added. "We work on set-plays all week because they can win you games. You get one and you score from it, but it gets chalked off.
"As for the penalty, I'm not sure it is even a penalty first and foremost. The penalty miss was our fault, but I'm not even sure their lad should have been sent off either.
"This referee is supposed to be the next best thing since sliced bread, refereeing in the Premier League at 25 years old.
"He's taken off the Premier League to get his confidence back and they give a game of this magnitude which to me is wrong.
"We should have had an experienced Premier League referee who could have handled the situation."
The Rams had battled back after falling behind to an own goal by substitute Emanuel Villa in the 55th minute.
The Argentinian striker drew Derby level 11 minutes later then Forest's Lewis McGugan was shown a straight red card with 14 minutes left for a full-blooded challenge on Paul Green.
Although they were then denied a last-gasp winner, Jewell felt there were positives from his side's performance.
"We didn't play great, I think the occasion got the better of some of us," he added.
Fighting spirit
"But if you raise your game in a local derby when you're losing and not playing well, it shows you've got some fighting spirit and commitment."
Forest boss Colin Calderwood was also unaware why Addison's goal was disallowed but felt the visitors were due a call in their favour and were worthy of a draw.
"What he saw to disallow the goal I don't know," he said.
"If there's any relief, I'm thankful for that, but that's the first decision we've had go for us. We've had plenty go against us so far this season.
"The minimum we deserved was a point. Until the equaliser they didn't look as if they were going to score.
"It wasn't a penalty but we're glad it was given. They followed up and it ended up in the net but Lee Camp and all the defenders had stopped anyway.
"We got ourselves entrenched in the box and we've got to defend corners and wide free-kicks better than we have done."
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