SAM Allardyce felt that the officials played a major part in Rovers' downfall as they were knocked out of the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage in a pulsating tie at Villa Park.

After 26 minutes in Rovers were leading 2-0 courtesy of a fine double strike from Nikola Kalinić, but the inability of the officials spotting a clear push on captain Ryan Nelsen as the ball came across for Stephen Warnock to score had the Rovers boss fuming at the final whistle.

Add the sending off of Chris Samba to the mix and it was one unhappy manager speaking after the match.

"We've played Villa four times this season and had a man sent off in three of them, it is bizarre," said Sam.

"The decision was a bit harsh but that isn't the contentious issue here, the contentious issue is before then.

"On Villa's first goal Ryan Nelsen has been blatantly fouled and stopped from heading the ball to clear the cross by Agbonlahor.

"The referee has completely ignored it and Steve Warnock scored, and that is the reason why Aston Villa got back into the game and the only reason why Aston Villa got back into the game.

"It lifted their players, who at that stage, didn't know what to really do with the way we were playing."

Rovers started like a house on fire, with Croatian under 21 star Kalinić turning the one goal deficit on its head with two goals. Had Rovers kept the lead through to half-time the outcome could have been totally different.

"We got 2-0 up and were very very comfortable, and if anything we were going to go 3-0 up rather than them get back in the game.

"But unfortunately we've been kicked in the you know whats by the referee and then we've got the sending off after that.

"Yes it may be a penalty, but by that stage it is very difficult to then swallow that one. Sendings off are far too harsh but that is the laws of the game unfortunately.

"It goes 3-2 then 4-2 then Agbonlahor puts both arms on a shot by Milner that is going wide. Where are the officials for that one?

"Would it have mattered? We got it back to 5-4 and Aston Villa looked nervous at the end.

"So we are bitterly disappointed, the lads are totally distraught, I'll now have to pick them up and say it wasn't your year, it has gone against you."