Zigic nicks it but Jewell rages at female official over penalty

Paul Jewell waited on the St Andrew’s pitch after the final whistle to confront assistant referee Amy Fearn after Nikola Zigic’s stoppage-time winner darkened his mood.

The Ipswich manager was furious after referee Rob Lewis and his colleague failed to award a penalty when home skipper Steve Caldwell hauled over Lee Miller with the scores level nine minutes from time.

Jewell, who was marking his first anniversary at Ipswich, was fuming even before the giant Serbian lifted Birmingham boss Chris Hughton to within two points of the play-off places in the dying seconds.

‘Unfortunately, it was a penalty to every man, but not a woman,’ he fumed.

‘Although the referee didn’t have a good sight, the lineswoman, or whatever she’s called, had a great view of it. It was a stonewall penalty — and a sending-off.’

Jewell had good reason for complaint as the hosts would have been staring at their first home league defeat of the campaign had the spot-kick been converted.

As it was, the evening ended in triumph for Zigic, whose name was booed before kick-off by some home fans.

The forward had scored just twice this season before but doubled his tally with two close-range strikes that highlighted Jewell’s problems.

The first, in the ninth minute, came as he glanced David Murphy’s long throw beyond on-loan Ipswich goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Birmingham had been in little trouble until Lee Martin levelled with a spectacular 25-yard strike eight minutes later.

In the second half Marlon King hammered a shot against a post as Hughton’s side pressed. But the final drama was saved for the final seconds, as the statisticians would have predicted. Ipswich have conceded more goals than any other Championship side in the closing 15 minutes of matches — the time Birmingham are at their most dangerous.

Man of the match Curtis Davies flicked on another Murphy throw, and Zigic slipped the ball under McCarthy.

‘It was the late, late show, again,’ said Hughton. ‘It shows character and resilience. I’m delighted for Nikola. He deserves a bit of patience.’

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