Coventry manager Gordon Strachan has slammed what he terms ‘politically correct decisions to promote ladies’ after claiming assistant referee Wendy Toms missed a crucial offside.

She was an assistant referee at Highfield Road on Saturday when Coventry lost 4-3 to Leeds United and was patrolling the line at the end of the pitch where Michael Bridges scored what turned out to be Leeds’ winner.

"That goal was at least three to four yards offside," said Strachan.

"In a way we are getting politically correct decisions about promoting ladies. It does not matter if they are ladies, men or Alsatian dogs, but if they are not good enough to run the line they should not get the job. Don’t be politically correct and promote people just for the sake of doing it. Do it if they are right, do it if they are good.

"In my report I will say that without doubt this was the worst assistant refereeing display I have seen this season by far. Not only for that decision but numerous ones through the game."

Wendy Toms will be part of history tonight when for the first time all four officials at a professional match will be women. She will referee Nuneaton Borough’s Football Conference match at Kidderminster and the two assistant referees and the assessor are also women.

Strachan has more than Wendy Toms to worry about in the Worthington Cup tie at Tranmere Rovers tomorrow however.

His squad is depleted to such a degree that seventeen year old Gary McSheffrey is the only available striker.

Coventry have nine members of the first team squad either injured or unavailable. Robbie Keane is cup-tied after playing in the competition for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Youssef Chippo is suspended after being shown two yellow cards at Sunderland.

In addition Magnus Hedman, John Aloisi, Noel Whelan, Paul Telfer, Runar Normann, Gary Breen and Laurent Delorge are on the injury list.