United left reffin mad at official Al
McCall blasts whistler for denying stonewall pen
DUNDEE................................................. 1 AYR UNITED........................................... 0 STUART WILSON AT DENS PARK
Fizzing Ian McCall reckons Ayr were denied one of the most blatant spot kicks of the season as they went down at Dens.
Ref Alan Newlands sparked fury when waving away appeals for Cammy Kerr’s foul on Alan Forrest.
That came with United well on top during a goalless first half.
And McCall, who was incensed by a number of baffling calls by the whistler, insists his side paid the price.
He said: “It’s a stonewall penalty and I don’t know what the referee has seen.
“You try not to think this way... but is it because we’re viewed as wee Ayr United coming to Dens Park with the big crowd behind them?
“I’m gutted because the boys put in so much effort and at times in that first half we played them off the park.
“Our front players moved the ball so well and I’m adamant we’re a match for anyone when the pitches are like this.”
McCall, who was booked for his own part in the penalty that never was, set
up his Ayr team to attack on the break and after riding a rough opening ten minutes they went on to dominate the first half.
Forrest, who had impressed so much in last week’s win over Morton, was again a livewire off the left and his great work won a free kick which Stephen Kelly fired just over in the 17th minute.
Forrest then stung the palms of Jack Hamilton with a low drive after being played in by Michael Moffat.
Then came the penalty flashpoint, which left United feeling aggrieved not to take a lead into the break.
The heavens opened at half time but that did little slow Ayr’s threat and Forrest was presented with a glorious chance to fire Ayr ahead in the 66th minute.
But after racing on to Moffat’s knockdown, he saw his first time shot deflected round the post by Hamilton.
That paved the way for Dundee to come strong in the final 20 and Ross Doohan produced a point blank save to deny Kane Hemmings as they cranked up the heat.
The crucial goal arrived 17 minutes from time when Jordan Marshall’s lovely ball from the left was headed home by sub Andrew Nelson.
Hemmings and Josh Todd both went close to doubling the advantage near the end as the Dark Blues finished strongly.
Dundee boss James McPake claimed: “I think we deserved to win. I thought in terms of football we were the better team.”
I’m gutted because the boys put in so much effort