Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, always quick to rant against injustice, tore into referee Lee Mason Wednesday after he let stand a late Birmingham equalizer set up by an apparent handball and/or foul by striker Nikola Zigic.

Zigic climbed atop the shoulders of United defender Rio Ferdinand and the ball rebounded off his arm to Lee Bowyer, who knocked into the net to tie the match, 1-1, in the 89th minute. The result left United and City tied atop the Premier League with 3 8 points, though United has a superior goal difference and has played two fewer games.

"He went straight through him," said Ferguson of Zigic's leap." If the referee can't see that what chance have you got? In a game of that importance you expect to have a referee who can see that. I have no complaints with my team. They fought hard, they worked hard after a two-day rest. They ran their socks off to get a result and it's hard on them."