REFEREE Mick Russell took centre stage as Town were held goalless in a feisty Yorkshire derby  by booking the same Wednesday player twice but failing to send him off.

The Hertfordshire whistler brandished a yellow card at Jeremy Helan after judging he had dived in a bid to win a penalty in the ninth minute.

He then booked the on-loan Manchester City midfielder again when he brought down Adam Hammill in the 25th minute - but failed to produce a red card.

Town manager Simon Grayson and a number of equally baffled players questioned the official, who later said he had mistakenly logged Michael Antonio (No7 as opposed to Helan's 24) for the first offence.

Town, now nine games without a win, had the clearer-cut chances, with Simon Church, Keith Southern and substitute James Vaughan all coming close.

But they needed Alex Smithies to make a fine late save to prevent Miguel Llera heading a late Wednesday winner.