While referee Keith Stroud refused to watch the incidents again at Wise’ behest, the media at the post-match press conference were shown in detail the Leeds skipper Kevin Nicholls’ dismissal and an incident 15 minutes earlier when Alan Lee is booked and not sent off for elbowing Hayden Foxe and Wise wanted to know why the difference in punishment.

Wise, celebrating his 40th birthday, argued that the referee’s assistant had originally given Leeds a free kick as Nicholls and Danny Haynes came together but then told the referee that Nicholls had elbowed the Ipswich striker and a red card was shown even though Leeds still got the free kick.

Wise said: “If Lee goes then the game changes. If he has given him a yellow then he should give Nicholls a yellow. But if he stays with a red then does he change Lee’s to a red? He can’t yet Lee’s is worse than Nicholls and the linesman has made the decision and not him.

“He has given us a free kick initially but he has some punters behind him screaming for blood and says it was an elbow, yet we still get the free kick.

“These things cost our season. These people go home watch the video, have a beer and relax but doesn’t realise the circumstances it leaves us in. They get away with it while it impacts on us. We lose Nicholls for three games and he loses two week’s wages with a fine.” In essence though Leeds lost and stay in the bottom three because Gavin Williams struck a superb shot from a Lee nod down from 20-yards and the Yorkshire side missed some good chances, with on loan Barnet striker Tresor Kandol particularly guilty.

Wise said: “We deserved something out of the game. We had better chances and perhaps should have won the game.” And to add to the bizarre incident Ipswich manager Jim Magilton admitted his player Owen Garvan should have been red-carded. The goal was the best bit of football all game. It was not a great performance from us, for which I apologise but it was about three points and we won ugly.

“Owen was a lucky boy. If you raise your hands as he did on Nicholls then he should be sent off.”

The Bishop of St Edmundbury and Ipswich led the prayers which preceded a minute’s silence which was observed by both sets of fans, although the sombre mood seemed to affect the game in the first half Magilton said: “In our world it was an important win but it is only three points in a football match. If we can send a few people home with a small fillip of joy then grand because what has gone on has been terrible.”

Leeds will now wait to see if the referee does change his mind and change the second card to a yellow which would mean a one match ban instead of three for violent conduct.