Tommy Elphick has blamed the officials for robbing Albion of a five-point lead at the top of League One and leaving him on the brink of a ban.

The centre-half insists the injury- time penalty he conceded in Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Bournemouth should not have been awarded.

He is also angry the offence was treated as deliberate handball and cost him his fourth yellow card of the season, one short of suspension.

Referee Darren Sheldrake initially gave a free-kick outside the box and cautioned Elphick following an aerial duel with Bournemouth sub Steve Fletcher.

Sheldrake’s assistant John Farries waved his flag and, after consulting him, the referee changed his mind and pointed to the spot, although TV replays showed it was just outside the area.

Elphick told The Argus: “I felt the free-kick was for us when he gave it. I was underneath the ball, waiting to head it, and he (Fletcher) caught me between the shoulder blades and brought my momentum forward.

“Both our arms went up and I think both of our arms might actually have touched the ball. I haven’t seen it again but I’m two million% convinced it was outside the box anyway.

“I can’t see how he has booked me for that either. It wasn’t deliberate handball, it was a nothing situation. After that they had a little conversation on their radios. They probably spoke about the cameras being here and wanted a little appearance.”

Elphick also regretted not making more of an elbow in the first half by Michael Symes, which earned the Bournemouth striker a yellow card rather than red after he had earlier caught Casper Ankergren with his boot, breaking the keeper’s nose.

Elphick said: “He came across me and I think he led with his arm. He caught me on the side of the head. I suppose if I had gone down and made something of it I’d have got him sent-off and in hindsight maybe I should have done but that’s not really my style. Sometimes you have got to do it. Probably given the chance again I would go down.”

Peterborough’s 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool means Albion have extended their lead at the top to three points. Carlisle were the only winners among the top eight at the start of play but that was not much consolation to Elphick for two dropped home points.

“It feels like another defeat, which shows how far we have come and the standards we are setting,” he said. “Perhaps a year ago we would have taken a point against the team third in the league.”