SWANSEA manager Brendan Rodgers suspected referee Keith Hill would give a penalty on Saturday – but was disappointed with the decision that won the Iron the game.

The Northern Irishman said he had done his homework on the Royston official, who has awarded four spot kicks in 14 Championship games this season.

Hill pointed to the spot in the 71st minute, when Joe Garner was tripped by the leg of defender Alan Tate.

Despite TV replays seeming to back up the Royston official's decision, Rodgers disagreed.

"It was never a penalty," he moaned.

"I've seen it again, about five times, and Alan Tate got the ball.

"I've always said referees have a very, very difficult job. They have to make decisions in the moment.

"But you'll see quite clearly that Alan Tate makes a good tackle and moves the ball, but the boy falls over his leg.

"I'd done my homework on the ref and I was surprised he didn't give us a penalty, because when you look at his history he gives a lot of penalties.

"Obviously he gives more for home teams than away teams."

Although disappointed with what proved to be the crucial decision, Rodgers accepted Swansea, riding high in second place in the table, had not been at their best.

The Glanford Park pitch was one reason for that, but he also thought the Welsh club had had an off day.

"There was no way we could play our football on the pitch, but I thought we made an unplayable pitch playable," said the former Watford and Reading chief.

"Some of our possession and control was fantastic, but obviously the longer the game stays 0-0 you're in danger of something happening and it going against you.

"We just probably lacked that wee bit at the top end of the field that we normally have.

“I’m not going to blame the pitch, though it played a part no doubt.

“You can’t be all singing, all dancing, all year. We’ve had a game where we just weren’t quite at our best in the final third, sometimes that happens.”