WARNOCK'S REFFING MAD OVER SWANS

NEIL Warnock laughed as he jibed that Swan-sea are benefitting from controversial refereeing decisions because manager Steve Cooper’s father, Keith, was a former official.

- Steve Coombs

Warnock’s Middlesbrough were beaten at Swansea as Andre Ayew converted a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time – the second time in four days that the Welsh side have scored a late spot-kick to win.

It came after Ayew had put Swansea ahead in the first half before Sam Morsy levelled in the first minute of injury time.

Jake Bidwell then tumbled under George Saville’s challenge in the penalty area deep into injury time and, although referee Gavin Ward at first pointed for a corner, a spot-kick was awarded and Ayew coolly stroked home.

“The penalty at Stoke the other night was scandalous,” Warnock said.

“They must be laughing their heads off at the minute, but what goes around comes around. I’m sure we’ll see Swansea (in the Championship) next year.

“They can’t keep having that much luck with penalties. I don’t know if it’s Cooper’s dad who’s influencing this.