Albion boss Micky Adams has blasted referee Mike Ryan as "not up to the task."

Adams claims Saturday's top-of-the table clash at leaders Chesterfield was "too big" for the Preston official and that a top ref should have been in charge.

Chesterfield won 1-0 with an injury time goal by substitute Jamie Ingledow after ten-man Albion had Charlie Oatway sent off early in the second half for a second bookable offence.

"We lost 1-0 because of one man and that was the referee," Adams raged. "He was not up to the task.

"It was the big game in the Third Division, too big for him. Where is a big time referee when you need one?

"David Elleray turned up at our place last Wednesday (versus Hartlepool). He should have been at Chesterfield.

"We needed a big game ref who could handle a top of the table encounter with all the passion created by the fans.

"There wasn't a tackle in the game. It was a disgraceful performance."

Oatway, booked at the end of the first half for reacting to a challenge by Ryan Williams, saw red when he tripped Sean Parrish. Adams complained: "I don't think either yellow card was justified. Charlie can feel a little aggrieved.

"He gave us a free-kick for the first one, so I can't understand that. Then their lad ran across him and Charlie made every effort to get out of the way."

Albion held out until a minute into stoppage time. Ingledow, a late replacement, headed in a cross from Williams to end their ten-match unbeaten run and drop them a place to third ahead of tomorrow night's home match against Plymouth.

"It's a waste of time talking about the second half," Adams added. "It became damage limitation. The lads were absolutely magnificent.

"They could have done better with the goal, but they worked ever so hard and the fans appreciated that."

Ryan delayed the kick-off for 15 minutes after some of the 2,400 Albion fans were held up by a motorway accident. A few of them hurled missiles at stewards as they left.