Albion boss Chris Hughton has blamed another key decision for blunting his team’s bid to stage a comeback in the play-offs against Sheffield Wednesday.

Goalscorer Lewis Dunk appeared to be pushed by Gary Hooper when Ross Wallace’s cross pulled Wednesday level at the Amex.

The Owls survived a first half onslaught from the Seagulls to draw 1-1 and go through 3-1 on aggregate to the Wembley final on May 28 against Hull or Derby.

Referee Roger East and his assistants failed to spot the shove on Dunk. It left Hughton frustrated again following the controversial red card showed to Dale Stephens by Mike Dean in the automatic promotion decider at Middlesbrough.

Hughton said: “It’s difficult when you’re going into a second leg with 2-0 deficit but we had great belief and faith we could turn it around “We knew if we got the goal then things would change. We started very well, got the goal and had chances. Probably the time we got the goal we should have been another one up.

“Things have gone against us in recent weeks. Their goal was certainly a foul on Dunk. At 1-1 that gives them a leg-up. It was a scoreline they probably didn’t deserve.

“It was really disappointing and frustrating but I can’t fault the endeavour of the players.

“I still feel the Dale Stephens one wasn’t a red card. Those two incidents have gone against us.”

Albion are the first team since Manchester United 111 years ago to miss out on promotion after losing only five league games. United played 34 matches in 1905, not 46.