Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis felt Nottingham Forest’s game-clinching second goal should not have been allowed to stand.
The Reds were leading the Championship basement battle 1-0 thanks to Yuri Ribeiro’s early goal when Lewis Grabban emerged from a challenge with Tom Lees and slotted home to secure a much-needed win for Chris Hughton’s side.
Pulis said he couldn’t fault his players’ efforts, but felt they looked “tired”.
He insisted Grabban fouled Lees in the build-up to the second goal – and that the defender has the stud marks to prove it.
Pulis said: “The second goal has killed the game and it’s a really bad challenge as well.
“He [Lees] has got stud marks above his knee. I thought it was actually on his shin but it was above his knee.
“I watched referees week in, week out get decisions wrong with VAR and they watch it four or five times so I shouldn't be surprised that in a live they miss something as obvious and blatant as that.”
The defeat left Wednesday bottom of the Championship, seven points behind fourth-bottom Forest.
Asked if he was facing the biggest challenge of his long managerial career, Pulis said: “There have been some big challenges in my time. I have stayed up on the last day of the season.
“I think everybody knows what we need. I don't think it's a secret.
“Whether we get it or not, we will have to wait and see but I will do my best while I am here with the players that I've got.
“I don't want to have a go at the players because I really do think they are trying their best. I think we need some help.
“I promised the chairman after a month I would give him a fair assessment of the football club, the squad and everything that I think is right and wrong with it.
“There will be no sugar-coating. There will be no pussy footing around. I have been in the game a long time and I have seen clubs in this situation. I have seen clubs and what it takes to get out of this situation and it is a task.
“It is a difficult job. One of the main things that you need to do is stay nice and solid, nice and together. I think the players are going out there and giving their best.
"They looked tired in the second half. The better players in the group didn't control it like they did in the first half. They were the better side in the second half.”
