BRADFORD City manager Colin Todd risked incurring the wrath of the FA's disciplinary machine after lashing referee Carl Boyeson's performance during the 1-1 draw with Wrexham at Valley Parade.

The Hull-based official sent off home striker Dean Windass for foul and abusive language after 30 minutes and then awarded a contentious last-minute penalty that enabled Dragons striker Chris Armstrong to earn the visitors a point.

Todd could barely control his temper afterwards, saying: "In all my managerial career I've never seen such an inept performance by a referee. "We should have won the game 1-0 and the reason we didn't was nothing to do with us and it wasn't down to Wrexham, it was down to the referee.

"It was bad enough that Dean was sent off - for what I don't know - but a straight red card seemed very harsh.

"But at half time I told my players we'd win provided we kept our discipline and were patient.

"Then we scored a very good goal and we could have had another, so it was a travesty that we drew a game we should have won.

"Denis Smith is a very honest man and he said we were robbed and we, as managers, are always on the receiving end of what referees do.

"It's about time the Football League or the FA took notice of what we are saying because the referee's decision today has taken the gloss off a great performance by us."

Dragons boss Smith admitted the penalty decision proved a lifeline for his side and admitted he had some sympathy with his Bantams counterpart.

"I would have been a bit disappointed with the penalty but the only person who matters is the referee," he said.. "And I thought Chris did well to put it away because it was a pressure kick for us."

Smith said his side continued to frustrate him in front of goal, claiming they had enough possession to have made their one-man advantage count.

"With 11 against 11 it was a good game and one we were just edging, but when they go a man down it always makes it difficult. Nevertheless we should have gone on to win," he added..

"In the second half the chances were coming and I felt it was just a matter of time but they went down the other end and got the goal, which meant we were up against it then.

"After that we played too many hopeful balls into their box and we didn't get behind them enough. We needed someone to go past people and open them up, and hopefully Carlos Edwards will be back next month to do that."

Nevertheless Smith said he was delighted to have ended a two-match losing run.

"They are all vital points now and, although it would have been nice to get the three, I thought we looked compact and hard to break down.

"But I thought we deserved something from the game. We have got to believe in ourselves a bit more round the 18-yard box but we'll keep working on it."