HARDLY a week goes by without a Premiership refereeing controversy.

This week the circus was in town at Elland Road where Leeds United fans were bristling with injustice as Birmingham City snatched an unlikely 2-0 victory.

The 77th-minute dismissal of Brazil international Roque Junior sparked an amazing finale to an ordinary match with referee Dermot Gallagher the pivotal figure.

The sending-off may have been correct as Roque Junior had already been booked in the fifth minute and his last-man mauling of Mikael Forssell gave Gallagher no option but to produce a second yellow card followed by the obligatory red.

The penalty decision which followed is open to debate for the initial challenge took place outside the box, with the momentum of both players carrying them into the area.

Dunn, who had a spot-kick saved at Newcastle only to follow up on the rebound, was again denied, this time by a brilliant save from Robinson, low down to his left.

Robinson's elation quickly faded when linesman Andy Martin ruled he had moved before Dunn had struck the ball, resulting in a retake, with Robbie Savage beating the England international to put the unbeaten Blues ahead.

United were still fuming when Forssell shaded an offside decision to get on the end of Dunn's pass and slot in his third goal in two games since his arrival on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Leeds boss Peter Reid refused to fan the flames and held his tongue, although it was clear he was far from happy.

"I am not going to comment on the officials because they have a difficult job to do," said a diplomatic Reid, who was delighted with the effort his side had put in after the 4-0 debacle at Leicester.

"We were more solid. Although we were beaten by two goals, if we carry on like this I'll be delighted. Roque Junior was fantastic and unlucky to be sent off."

United certainly made most of the running with former Marseille men Lamine Sakho and Salomon Olembe linking up well down the left. Cameroon international Olembe got stronger as the game went on, directing a constant flow of traffic towards the Birmingham goal in the second half.

But despite their spirit and energy, United found it difficult to break down an uncompromising Birmingham defence in which Matthew Upson was superb.

The best effort came midway through the second period when Mark Viduka headed down Ian Harte's centre for Alan Smith to turn, but the striker shot straight at Maik Taylor when he should have found the bottom corner.

United needed to score when they were on top and paid the price in a frantic finale.

Updated: 10:51 Monday, September 22, 2003