‘Got it wrong - ultimately cost us’: Portsmouth boss launches broadside at referee after Oxford United red controversy

The Pompey boss is adamant the official got the key call to dismiss Connor Ogilvie horribly wrong, as his 10 men fought back to gain a 2-2 draw against Oxford United.

And Mousinho insisted he was ‘baffled’ by Smith’s failure not to give Brodie Spencer a second yellow card, as he fouled Terry Devlin after the restart at Fratton Park.

The Blues head coach stated the Oxford staff ‘couldn’t believe their luck’ over the Spencer call, while confirming the Ogilvie red card will be appealed.

Mousinho said: ‘In real time I wasn’t expecting anything more than a talking to or maybe a yellow (for Ogilvie).

‘We’ve had the luxury of watching the incident back and seeing it slowed down on the Sky cameras.

‘The referee only has one look, but I go back to my thought at the time - I wasn’t thinking it was a red at any point.

‘When he pulled the red out I thought maybe Connor’s elbowed him or kicked out. I couldn’t believe it was for the challenge.

‘If you are going to make such a big decision in such a big game, you have to make sure you’re 100 per cent right. You have to get it spot on and the referee didn’t do that, he got it wrong. That was highlighted further by what happened after that.

‘We will appeal, whether we get anything from it I don’t know, but we will appeal.’

While it’s the Ogilvie red card which is the major talking point from the game, it was the call not to send off Spencer which flummoxed Mousinho as he gave his view of the referee afterwards.

He added: ‘Terry was breaking, cut across him and he’s fouled him: It’s a yellow card as simple as that.

‘I was baffled at the time and I’m still baffled now - I have no comprehension as to why it’s not given.

‘Oxford aren’t stupid, they knew what was going on and they had to get him off as quickly as possible.

‘I get on well with everyone at Oxford and it almost became a laughing matter for them. They couldn’t believe their luck, they couldn’t believe it happened.

‘It would’ve evened it up for the final 20 minutes, we showed that we were an even match for them through the game with 10 men.

‘Football’s subjective and it’s a difficult job. We had a conversation (with the referee after the game) and I have to protect the honesty of the conversation.

‘They don’t want to get things wrong, but it’s two key moments.

‘No one would’ve batted an eyelid at a yellow for Connor and the second one is just clear. They are huge decisions and it’s heightened because of where we are in the league.

‘They are two huge decisions which have gone against us - and ultimately cost us.’