Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has angrily declared that poor decisions from officials cost his team a crucial Champions League victory.

Mancini watched his side go 2-0 down early on against Ajax before goals from Yaya Toure and Sergio Ageuro levelled the match in the second half.

City were denied a late winner when Alexandar Kolarov was flagged offside before Mario Balotelli had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the closing seconds.

The Italian stormed onto the pitch to confront Danish official Peter Rasmussen and believes that the referee and his assistants ruined his team's chances of recording a vital win.

He told BBC Sport: "The ref and the linesman were really poor.

"It was a penalty and [before then] it was a goal, not offside. What did he say back to me when I asked him? Nothing."

The reigning Premier League champions now need to beat Real Madrid in their next match to keep any hopes of qualification alive.