FURIOUS Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert claimed that last night’s 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday was ‘too big’ for referee David Webb.

Rovers went down to their fourth defeat in five games after being reduced to 10 men for the third match in succession.

Craig Conway headed Lambert’s side in front 27 seconds after the start of the second half.

But, moments after the Owls equalised through an Adam Henley own goal, the recalled winger was sent off in the 53rd minute for a late challenge on Alex Lopez.

Lambert insisted it was not worthy of a red card and pointed to the fact that Lopez appeared unhurt by sprinting back on to the pitch like ‘Linford Christie’ after receiving treatment.

The Scot also felt the officials had missed a handball in the lead-up to Wednesday’s leveller while midfielder Matt Grimes was adamant he had been fouled.

The promotion-pushing Owls then sealed their fourth win on the spin in the 62nd minute through Ross Wallace.

Lambert said: “There’s no way it was a sending off. I’ve just seen it and he went through his legs.

“And it was a handball as well. I thought the game was too big for the referee, I really did.

“We controlled the game, I thought we were very good. In the first half we weren’t really under any pressure against a team that is trying to get out of the league.

“We took the lead with a really good goal and then they equalise with a deflection.

“But before it, it is a handball and that is the disappointing thing. Again the big calls and the big moments, he didn’t get them right.

“It’s tough, really tough. We were always in the game with 10 men. It’s not as if we capitulated. I can’t fault the lads’ spirit or effort but that decision (the sending off) was ludicrous. I’ve just seen it on the tape there and he actually went through his legs.

“I tell you what the lad made some recovery.  The lad came back on like Linford Christie. I knew it was going to happen. The fourth official admitted it as well. He just ran right back on it.

“The referee has to look at it. I think the game was too much for him.

“We’ve lost a game we shouldn’t have lost because we were every bit as good as them.”