Blues 1 Fulham 2 Steve Bruce launched a broadside against referee Phil Dowd after his 'howler' left Blues still chasing their first point of the year. Bruce was fuming after he claimed Dowd missed a blatant foul on Salif Diao in the build up to Fulhams equaliser. And to compound Bruces fury, Dowd then handed the visitors a lifeline by awarding a penalty after Damien Johnson fouled Luis Boa Morte a full yard outside the area. Andy Cole tucked away the resulting spot-kick and five minutes later Papa Bouba Diop completed Blues misery after they had taken the lead through a Moritz Volz own goal. Fulhams Collins John was reported to the police for bad language in the goal celebrations, as Blues fans vented their fury. With Crystal Palace and Southampton both winning this was the last result Blues needed at the end of another tough week of bitter recriminations in the seemingly never ending Robbie Savage saga. And Bruce was left pointing the finger of blame firmly at Dowd. The referee has made a howler of a decision, blasted Bruce. And it wasnt just the tackle on Diao, which was from behind and on the floor, which is illegal. To make matters worse, when he gives the penalty the boy is a yard outside the box. I rarely criticise referees because I know they have a difficult job but surely he can see the foul on Diao - he was two yards away. He cant give the penalty decision without consulting his linesman because it is outside the box and it is decisions like that - at this level - that cost us. Bruce also refuted claims video technology would have been able to help Dowd, as he believed that old-fashioned common sense should have prevailed. It is a huge game for both clubs, especially with the way the results have gone, he continued. You dont need technology for a decision like that as the linesman is up there with play. Surely he has to check with the linesman if there is a doubt but he didnt want to do that and that is disappointing. We are not talking about a marginal decision here. What a difference a month makes. When Blues won 3-2 at Craven Cottage in late December they racked up their fourth straight win and climbed into ninth place. However, this was an ugly game, an ugly result at the end of another ugly week at St Andrews Blues slipped to their fourth straight defeat and Diop was the man who broke Blues hearts - a week after his last-gasp winner against Albion. In truth, it was a game neither side deserved to win, but Bruce was alarmed at his sides defending for Fulhams winner. He continued: We lost our discipline and you cant allow Papa Diop - who has headed everything all afternoon - a free header. He is very good in the air but we havent dealt with it, which was very poor. However, Bruce will have been even more concerned by the lack of creativity on show as Edwin van der Sar didnt have a single save to make other than Volzs own goal. It was dire fare in the opening 23 minutes but Fulham almost grabbed the lead after an error from Maik Taylor. Kenny Cunningham fed him with a back pass and he took an age to clear the ball. Luis Boa Morte blocked his clearance but thankfully for Taylor the ball rebounded into his chest and rebounded to safety. Cole then had a good chance when he latched onto Carlos Bocanegras through ball and shot on the turn past Cunningham. Although the ball beat Taylor it whistled past the far post. Blues didnt learn their lesson and two minutes after the break Boa Morte burst through and shot inches wide in an almost identical incident. The home side finally sprung into life and scored with their first attack of any real note. Cunningham and Damien Johnson combined to set Mario Melchiot free on the right and his deflected cross reached Clinton Morrison. The strikers glancing header fell at the feet of Emile Heskey who looked set to score. Van der Sar blocked his effort but the ball rebounded off the unfortunate Volz and into the net. Taylor produced a stunning save to deny Cole straight from the restart before the keeper then appeared to catch Boa Morte in the area. However, Dowd booked Boa Morte for diving and left Taylor breathing a sigh of relief. It looked good for Blues until disaster struck. Boa Morte appeared to foul Diao in midfield and when Pembridge fed him with a pass he was up-ended by Johnson outside the area. Cole drove home the resulting penalty and Johnson was livid. Five minutes later he let his frustrations get the better of him and conceded a needless free-kick. Pembridges cross was met by the unmarked Diop, who powered home a header past Taylor. Blues huffed and puffed, but it was a bad day at the office and Bruce will now have one eye on the crucial clash with Southampton at St Andrews in nine days time. STAR MAN: Emile Heskey | 
