Reading FC manager Paul Ince believed that Cardiff avoided a ‘blatant’ red card in the Royals’ 2-1 victory.
Reading were awarded a penalty when Tom Ince was fouled in the box by Nelson curtis after he had rounded the goalkeeper.
But the Bluebirds defender escaped a red card and was instead given a yellow.
“The referee said that when he went round the goalkeeper he thought he went too wide and wouldn’t shoot,” said Ince.
“I said hang about, if he’s gone round the goalkeeper. then of course he’s going to shoot, he’s not going to juggle it for five minutes.
“It’s madness, he went round the goalkeeper and Nelson has pulled him back.
“It’s a blatant, blatant red. There’s no if or buts about it. He made a mistake
“Referees need to be made accountable and if they make a mistake we can live with that if they hold their hands up.
“The referee was in a great position to spot it. It would have been interesting if there was VAR because I can guarantee it would have been a red card.
“You need them to get these decisions right because they’re so important these big decisions.
“You could make as many mistakes as you want but the major ones you need to get right. He had a good game apart from that.”
Despite the missed red card decision, Ince was delighted with the shift his team put in to claim three points.
He continued: “I was delighted. It was an extension of where we were against Blackpool, outstanding.
“I was disappointed with the first goal, home fans and home start I wanted to start fast and get the crowd up but then we give a stupid free kick away and don’t mark our man.
“This group don’t give in, the response was brilliant, and we got them on the back foot.
“I was disappointed with the decision from the referee, I don’t like to see people get off. If we score a penalty and they get 10 men it can be easier, it can be hard, but you’ve got to make the right decisions. It could’ve cost us.
“The rules baffle me sometimes. These things change games but second half the lads came out and did really well.”