Jamie Lawrence believes referee Paul Durkin's decision not to award Bradford City a first half penalty cost the Bantams dear in their FA Cup fourth round defeat at Newcastle.

The midfielder looked to have been brought down by keeper Shay Given in the 28th minute after being put away by a fine Robbie Blake pass.

Lawrence knocked the ball past Given before crashing to the ground only for Durkin to award a goal-kick when replays showed there was clear contact.

The City star said: "It was a definite penalty. I just touched it past him and I think I would have got the ball if he hadn't brought me down.

"It is frustrating, but I suppose that is how it goes - last week we got a late penalty which was disputed against Crystal Palace and at Newcastle we didn't.

"I believe we are not going to get those sort of penalties at a place like Newcastle because of the crowd."

City boss Paul Jewell said: "It looked a penalty to me but I think the referee realised if he gave a penalty that he would have to send the lad off."

Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit was too ill with flu to attend the post-match press conference but his assistant Steve Clarke said : "I don't think it was a penalty. Shay saw him coming and managed to check himself but my heart was in my mouth."

The incident came just four minutes before Dietmar Hamann gave United the lead and was one of a number of chances from which City should have scored in the first half.

Strikes from Alan Shearer and man of the match Temuri Ketsbaia gave the scoreline a somewhat flattering look but Lawrence believes City must use the experience to their benefit.

He said: "We made some very good chances and never looked out of place at a Premiership club, so we have to take heart from that.

"Newcastle is the sort of place I want to be playing at. I have played in the Premiership before and now I want more.

"If you take the good bits out of our performance then it shows that we can play against the top teams. The scoreline flattered them.

"The gaffer says we should get our heads up. We came here to play football and were the better team in the first half. The second goal killed us off. Alan Shearer only had one chance but he took it - that is the difference £15 million can buy you."

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