Shaun Edwards hits out at referee after late heartache

London Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards criticised the match officials following his side's 19-17 defeat at Racing Metro in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Two tries from Tom Varndell helped Wasps take a 17-16 lead until Jonathan Wisniewski kicked an injury-time penalty for the French.

Wasps had gone into the game unbeaten in Pool 4 and looking for a victory to secure a home quarter-final tie. But they must now wait to learn their fate, as a win for Connaught tomorrow over Olympus Rugby would enable them to finish as top seeds.

Edwards was disappointed referee James Jones failed to spot an off-the-ball hit on winger David Lemi moments before Racing were awarded their last-gasp penalty following a high tackle by Danny Cipriani.

He said: "We feel a bit aggrieved. It was a late tackle on David Lemi which led to them getting the ball and then getting the penalty.

"I'm sure the referees will review it and give an honest appraisal that they made a mistake."

Wasps had gone into the break 10-9 ahead, thanks to Varndell's sixth-minute breakaway try and a Cipriani penalty. With Wasps No8 Dan Ward-Smith in the sin-bin, Racing were awarded a penalty try in the 59th minute, when the visitors scrum collapsed on their own line. Varndell's second try, in the 66th minute, looked to have given Wasps victory but there was late drama.