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Allardyce was unhappy that the Yorkshire official had allowed Zenden's seven minute penalty to stand as it appeared the Dutchman took two touches of the ball whilst also bemoaning a penalty shout at the other end in the dying minutes when Ugo Ehiogu appeared to handle a shot from Bolton substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos.
"Zenden played the ball twice, with his right foot and then his left. The rules tell you that's an indirect free kick to us" Allardyce stated
The Bolton boss was furious that a last minute penalty appeal for the Trotters was turned down as Ehiogu handled and Allardyce once again questioned the consistency of the officials.
"Ehiogu's arm came out and played the ball when it was heading towards goal, it was almost a goalkeeper's dive so we thought it was a clear cut penalty. The referee can't say he didn't see it and he can't say it wasn't ball to hand so his inconsistency level has let us down again"
Allardyce looked back upon previous games where Riley has been officiating a Wanderers game and pointed out that the club haven't had the best of luck when he has been named as the referee. In 2001 he sent off both Dean Holdsworth and Paul Warhurst in a game against Leicester City whilst the following year he dismissed Bruno N'Gotty in a game against West Bromwich Albion whilst this season he disallowed a goal from Youri Djorkaeff in the game with Liverpool at Anfield in the earlier rounds of the Carling Cup.
"We've always had a problem with Mike Riley in our recent history. He hasn't been very kind to us to say the least. Unfortunately I have to say he's lived up to his reputation as far as we're concerned"
Whilst furious with the referee the Bolton boss was quick to praise Middlesbrough who collected their first trophy in 128 years and said that the Boro where very good for their win.
"I'm bitterly disappointed but I don't want to sound to bitter towards Middlesbrough as I thought they where very good and deserved their win".
Bolton must now pick up the pieces and focus their attention firmly on a good Premiership finish for the rest of the season. They face Birmingham City next week in the re-arranged fixture at St Andrews and then face three of the top six as Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United take on the Wanderers in March.
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