NEIL Lennon has vowed to take his ref rage to the very top after growing weary with standards of officiating in the Championship.

After voicing criticism of referee Darren Drysdale’s performance in the 4-2 defeat at Rotherham United on Tuesday night, the Wanderers boss is seeking answers and could now contact Football League chief David Allinson directly to voice his concerns.

Lennon claimed his side should have been awarded two penalties at the New York Stadium, including one for a trip on Josh Vela which occurred moments before the Millers’ third goal.

It followed other instances in which Lennon has called referee’s performances into question, most notably in recent clashes with Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.

And the Northern Irishman’s patience appeared to have run out when he spoke to The Bolton News in midweek.

“I want to take it further because we get penalties given against us on a regular basis and when you see one as blatant as that not given for you, you have to do something about it, you have to bring it up,” he fumed.

“It was the clearest penalty you’ll ever see and then in the build-up to the third goal Josh gets fouled again.

“The game could have hinged on that. At 2-1 we’re in it, at 3-0 we’re chasing our tails.”

Lennon admitted his weary side were below-par in South Yorkshire – conceding he could have made more changes to his starting line-up to compensate.

But that will not stop him seeking out an explanation from Allinson, who is general manager of the PGMOL and directly responsible for officials in the Football League.

“I knew we wouldn’t play well, I knew we’d be leggy,” he said. “We had no preparation for the game whatsoever and I don’t think Rotherham could have picked a better time to play us after the exertions of Saturday.

“But you are just looking for fairness, you just want referees to do their job properly.

“You will not see a more clear-cut penalty not given all season, so I’m really annoyed.

“The trouble is you’ve got to be careful what you say or otherwise you get sent off or get a three-game ban.

“We got done at Huddersfield with another one, a handball, and then Heskey’s goal that was ruled offside and wasn’t.

“Now the game has hinged on another poor decision and it’s not right.”

It is not the first time Lennon has tackled refereeing top brass.

In 2013 he demanded answers from UEFA after Spanish official Alberto Mallenco turned down two penalty appeals in a Champions League game between Celtic and Juventus.