PHIL Parkinson accused Sheffield United sub Samir Carruthers of diving to earn the Blades a second-half penalty at Bramall Lane.

Chris Wilder's side were already one Billy Sharp goal to the good when Carruthers broke into the area and went to ground under a challenge from David Wheater.

Wheater claimed after the game he did not make any contact - a stance backed up by his manager.

"It was a definite dive," Parkinson said. "How Mike Dean hasn’t spotted that I don’t know, it’s a clear one.

"He is a good referee, a Premier League referee, but the tops refs are paid to get the big decisions right and he didn't do that on this occasion."