Furious Steve McNamara launched a scathing attack on referee Steve Ganson after he claimed his Bulls side had been "cheated" against Leeds Rhinos.

A fascinating finale to the Millennium Magic weekend in Cardiff tonight ended in huge controversy when Jordan Tansey scored a dramatic try on the hooter to hand Leeds a 42-38 success.

The winning effort came after Kevin Sinfield's penalty attempt had bounced off the crossbar into the substitute's hands.

But video replays showed Tansey was metres offside as he chased the rebound and McNamara was fuming that Ganson opted not to go to the video referee on such a crucial decision.

Replays also suggested the penalty should never have been awarded in the first place. Irate Bulls players surrounded the official as he left the field and McNamara did not hold back in his post-match press conference.

"It's completely wrong what's happened out there," he said. "The whole game was decided by the referee.

"It's absolutely ridiculous. I've only been in this game a short time but I'm sick to death of it. I've had enough. I'm not just talking about A decision at the end but a series of decisions throughout the game that directly affected the outcome.

"The two sides never decided who it was who was going to win it. In the end, he decided it. I feel like our team has been cheated."

The defeat sees Leeds go two points clear of the Bulls at the top of Super League but McNamara was fulsome in praise of his gutted players.

He said: "The players did not deserve it. They are heroes. We deserved to win. It was so blatantly wrong and people will be talking about this for months, probably years to come.

"It absolutely was not a penalty. He needed an opportunity at the end to try and help give Leeds a draw.

"The powers-that-be crave close games - it brings interest - but this is just stupid."

Meanwhile, Bulls players wore black armbands in respect of prop Sam Burgess' father, who died on Thursday. Mark, 45, had been suffering from motor neurone disease for two years.

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here