ANGRY Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer has accused Kent referee Steve Bennett of costing the Magpies a possible Worthington Cup quarter-final spot.

Shearer was brought down in a one-on-one by Birmingham keeper Ian Bennett in an incident which tipped Wednesday's fourth-round tie in the Blues' favour.

With the game level at 1-1, former Newcastle trainee Bennett escaped with only a yellow card - but Shearer argued that he should have gone.

First Division Birmingham snatched victory in the last minute through Jamaican international Michael Johnson, and Shearer could not contain his fury.

He said: "You don't go into a game looking for players to be sent off, but there are rules.

"We had our keeper Steve Harper sent off here for something similar in this competition last season, and I don't know why the referee didn't send off their keeper this time.

"I asked him why and he said the keeper hadn't been the last man. But in my opinion he was and he definitely had the rub of the green.''

The defeat means United miss out on a home tie with First Division Sheffield Wednesday, who pulled off a surprise win at West Ham.

Shearer added: "We're very disappointed, but I have to admit we didn't pass the ball and we looked lop-sided.

"We didn't really deserve to win. We're kicking long and not passing enough. We didn't really create anything, which is very disappointing.

"What makes it worse is that, if we'd won, we would have had a home tie against Sheff Wed.''

Comedian Jasper Carrott, however, naturally saw the funny side.

The lifelong Birmingham fan said: "I've supported this club through thick and thin - mainly thin - for 45 years. I thought we gave Newcastle a footballing lesson.''

United are staying in the Midlands to prepare for tomorrow's tough Premiership test at Aston Villa.

Argentinian midfielder Christian Bassedas was yesterday having treatment for an ankle knock which forced his late substitution at St. Andrews.