Paddy DavittNorwich City manager Paul Lambert yesterday requested a "non personal" FA hearing after admitting using abusive and/or insulting words to the match officials in the Canaries' recent Good Friday League One defeat at Tranmere.Paddy Davitt

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert yesterday requested a "non personal" FA hearing after admitting using abusive and/or insulting words to the match officials in the Canaries' recent Good Friday League One defeat at Tranmere.

Lambert, however, denied a second breach of FA rule E3 relating to improper conduct following his dismissal for encroaching on to the Prenton Park pitch during the second half of City's televised 3-1 defeat.

A regulatory commission will now hear Lambert's case before the end of this month, with the City boss facing a potential touchline and/or fine if found guilty.

The FA disciplinary panel have yet to issue a public ruling on a separate improper conduct charge towards Norwich's head of football operations Gary Karsa, who was also dismissed from the bench in the same incident.

Lambert was asked to leave his technical area by referee Eddie Ilderton after he entered the field of play to kick the ball back to his own team following the award of a free-kick, with the Canaries trailing 3-1.

Following a verbal exchange between Lambert, Karsa and the match officials City's manager headed down the tunnel to watch the remaining action from a front row seat in the directors' box.

Lambert claimed in his post-match interview the game had been 'too big' for Ilderton after City conceded two penalties and had keeper Fraser Forster red carded inside the first 12 minutes. Tranmere's Craig Curran then appeared to handle the ball inside the area before slotting a third prior to the interval.

"I thought some of the decisions were incredible," said Lambert. "The referee was poor. I just thought that game was too big for that referee. We got beat - the most pleasing thing was we kept on going, but some of the decisions, I think, were bizarre.

"I think being here with the cameras on him he wanted to be the main point of attention. It was really shocking I thought. All I did was kick a ball back to keep the ball in play. I've done it a million times this season, getting on the pitch to kick the ball back to keep the game flowing."