Ref Stroud is Port in a storm after Lambo spot-kick controversy

REF Keith Stroud would be well-advised not to return to Portman Road anytime soon.

The Hampshire whistler angered Ipswich boss Paul Lambert and the home crowd for a couple of controversial decisions

The rock-bottom Tractor Boys, surely doomed to the drop despite their brave resistance in recent weeks, need all the help they can get right now.

But Stroud not only disallowed a Jon Nolan goal, he also denied Lambert’s side a late spot-kick when Kayden Jackson was sent sprawling by Forest goalscorer Molla Wague.

Lambert, who has seen his team draw six of their last seven games by the same scoreline, said:

“It’s incredible what’s gone on. It happened at Aston Villa and it’s happened again today

– another stonewall penalty not given by the same ref.

“Keith came to see me before the game today and we had a chat.

“Did he apologise for the one at Villa? In a roundabout way I suppose you could say that.”

Nolan fired into the net from an Alan Judge free-kick but Stroud was quick to chalk it off and signal that he had not blown his whistle.

Lambert added: “If the referee says to wait for the whistle then I understand and he has every right to pull it back.

“I don’t know the conversation they had but it was a great goal. That seems to be the way it goes for us.”

Remarkably, Stroud also managed to rile the visitors when he ruled out a goal by ex-Ipswich favourite Daryl Murphy.

The Republic of Ireland international fired past Bartosz Bialkowski after the keeper had done well to reach a Yohan Benalouane header. On this evidence it is hard to believe that, barring a miracle, Ipswich are bound for League One while Martin O’Neill’s men remain hopeful of gatecrashing the play-offs.

O’Neill said: “It’s probably a fair result but a point isn’t a great deal of good to us.

“I thought we had scored and having seen the replay the goal should have stood. Murphy was a good two yards onside.” Ipswich went ahead in the fifth minute when Gwion Edwards crossed for Collin Quaner (left) to slide the ball through Costel Pantilimon’s legs.

The equaliser came when Ipswich struggled to clear a Joe Lolley corner and the grounded Wague poked the ball in.

Pantilimon made sure Forest held on for a point with several top saves towards the end.

He twice denied lively sub Jackson and also did well to keep out a header from Everton loanee Matthew Pennington

But opposite number Bialkowski was also called upon to make a fine double save as Forest pressed late on.