Blackburn Rovers boss on Stoke defeat and disallowed goal

Gudjohnsen thought he had rescued a point in the final stages at Ewood Park, but referee Andrew Kitchen spotted a foul as the forward climbed to plant a clinical header past Viktor Johansson.

“Having watched it back, it's embarrassing really,” he said after the final whistle. “People come to watch football to see entertainment and goals.

“I can't understand it really. I've watched it back. Does he put his hands up? Yeah, because the guy's going back into him - to protect himself, hold him off.

“Is there a forward motion and a push? No. Does the guy throw his arms up in the air? Yes. I think the referee gets it hugely wrong.

“What hurts a little bit more is the inconsistency of officials, I suppose. Thinking back a few weeks to West Brom away, when Gudjohnsen actually gets blatantly pushed two hands, play on.

“They go down the other end, get a penalty, get it back to two each and then win the game later on. Just the inconsistency of it.”

Mowbray felt it was a largely positive performance from his Rovers side but was left ruing the ‘mad moments’ that led to Stoke’s goals.

“I thought our team played pretty well today,” the head coach continued. “The mad moments of goals, of course, in any moment in a game.

“I don't know why goalies feel they have to cover and come and deal with a cross when he's leaving two thirds of his goal open.

“I've been watching all week, I'd said before the game McGlynn's got a want of a left foot, be careful. From where I was sitting, I could see he was going to only shoot but the goalie thought he was crossing.

“Crazy goal. A great bit of play from the individual, of course, but I don't think they warranted it. I thought ultimately we played pretty well tonight. We have played probably not as well as that in one football match this year.

“But there you go, that's the game. We have to take it on the chin and move on. If we keep the level, we'll be OK.”

Ryan Alebiosu was forced off before the break with an injury, and Mowbray says he will be assessed by the physios.

“I’ve no idea,” he said. “Ryan gets injured in every game almost, doesn't he, and generally plays on. I don't know. I'll see tomorrow what the physio department think.”