Oxford United boss Chris Wilder fears he may face an FA disrepute charge after being ordered out of the referee’s dressing room following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Tamworth – but insists he did nothing wrong.

Wilder questioned Essex official John Hopkins over why he saw fit to dish out an immediate second yellow card – around ten seconds after the first – to Damian Batt at the end of the match.

It was Oxford’s first home defeat of the season and a wretched afternoon for the U’s as they missed out on the chance to go back to the top of the Blue Square Premier.

Right back Batt, who had come on as a second-half substitute, challenged a linesman over why he had given offside for what he thought was a stoppage-time equaliser from Mark Creighton.

Wilder said that he found the referee’s explanation of Batt’s dismissal hard to take.

“He (Batt) didn’t swear, the referee said ‘it was just the way he came over to me’,” Wilder explained.

“Damian is a silly boy because he shouldn’t have put himself in that situation. But the referee should have a bit more about him to say ‘go away’ and let’s finish the game 11 v 11.”

United’s manager felt the ref had officiated poorly, allowing Tamworth to get away with far too much time-wasting until he started penalising them too late.

“I’ve gone and seen the referee because even though my team were poor, the referee manages the speed of the game,” Wilder said.

“And for him to say it was my players’ fault because they went and got the ball and put it down for them to restart the game, was laughable.

“I don’t know if I’m going to get charged because I’ve been ordered out of his room.

“I’ve not criticised his performance, I’ve not sworn at him, I’ve gone in to ask about his decisions . . . I’ve waited 30 minutes – I think I’ve got a right to go in there.”

The U’s boss admitted, however, that his team had failed to function properly.

“I’m massively disappointed and massively frustrated,” Wilder added.

l Match report: Pages 38-39 l More reaction: Page 37