Soccer
Lee Sharp says Dundee United should have been given penalty in draw with Falkirk
Lee Sharp was adamant that Dundee United should have been awarded a penalty before they scored their late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Falkirk.
The Bairns netted through Jacob Murrell in the fourth minute and looked like they would hold on to secure their first Premiership win of the season but Michael Forbes snatched a dramatic late draw for the Terrors.
However, United assistant manager Sharp believed his side should have had a penalty when Falkirk’s Aodhan Doherty caught Jesse Randall just after the hour mark and he admitted he was baffled that it was checked and cleared so quickly by VAR.
Sharp said: “We watched it back quite a few times and I don’t know how they came to the decision so quickly, in terms of the review. There’s a definite stamp that catches Jesse Randall.
“He stamps on Jesse’s right foot and catches him. As soon as it happened, we thought that – we had a quick look at the footage on the bench.
“I couldn’t believe how quickly they checked it. I thought it was a definite penalty.
“Hopefully we’ll get a look at it later, on the TV.
“But he’s come in and almost stamped down on him and caught him with his left foot on Jesse’s right foot.
“Jesse is not the type of person that will go down and stay down.”
Sharp was in charge of the team with United boss Jim Goodwin recovering after his recent hospital stay but the manager was in attendance at the game, sitting in one of the hospitality boxes wearing an eye patch.
Sharp added: “He wanted to come along today and be in the stand and to liaise with us.
“We were in contact with him throughout the game. It was great to have him back in and part of it.”
Falkirk boss John McGlynn admitted he was disappointed that his side failed to see out the game.
However, the manager believed his side had fallen out of the contest because of their recent gruelling schedule and that Dundee United deserved to take a point from the game.
McGlynn said: “Yes, it was a bit frustrating. I thought we started the game really, really well on the front foot.
“Jacob’s got his goal, which is great for him.
“We had other opportunities to increase the scoreline because we were well on top.
“So disappointing to lose a goal so late, considering we defended so much and, what we didn’t defend, Scott Bain made saves.
“But if I’m being honest, I can’t complain that Dundee United took something out of that game because they put a lot into it.”
McGlynn added: “I think playing Celtic at Celtic Park, Rangers, the other night there, coming into this game, it takes a lot of your energy in different ways and I just thought we looked tired after that opening 20 minutes or so.”
