Nigel Clough slams referee after loss to Swindon Town

Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough has admitted that mistakes from the referee made the 2-1 defeat to Swindon Town in the first leg of their playoff semi-final difficult to accept.

Sam Ricketts and Nathan Byrne handed Swindon the advantage as the visitors came from behind to take control at Bramall Lane, but Clough was unable to hide his frustration with referee Darren Bond after seeing three penalty appeals turned down.

"There were three penalty appeals; the handball and then the two-footed challenge on Ryan Flynn in the second half are the most obvious ones," the Blades boss told Sky Sports News.

"Add to that Matt Done's disallowed goal and there are four major decisions that have gone against us tonight.

"It's just a shame when referee's decisions decide the game between two very good teams because it was a cracking game tonight. It shouldn't be decided by refereeing decisions."

The loss was United's first home defeat to Swindon for 45 years.