Gutted Cal left penalty sick by call
ST JOHNSTONE manager Callum Davidson reckons defeat at Easter Road was hard to take after Martin Boyle sealed victory for Hibs with a hugely contentious penalty.
Perth defender Jamie McCart – the subject of failed summer bids from the Leith side – was harshly penalised by ref John Beaton for hand ball in the second half when he blocked a first-time Boyle shot.
Both managers agreed there was little McCart could do as he was standing just yards away from the winger when he struck the ball.
Saints could easily have taken something from the game and gutted Davidson said: “I’ve seen it back – and I think my first reaction was correct.
“I didn’t think Jamie’s hands were in a position where he was making himself bigger. The ball basically came off his chest area. The guy was a yard away from him. So realistically I’m not quite sure.
“It’s disappointing because both teams were having a real go to win the game. To end up losing the game to that decision is quite hard to take, quite frustrating.
“‘It’s really hard for the referees sometimes. For me, they’ve just got to be sure it’s a penalty. It would be different if Jamie’s hands were up high or trying to block the ball.
“As a defender, and I’m sure Jack will say the same, I’d be disappointed to lose a penalty like that.
“It’s just very unfortunate how it has affected the game.”
To compound McCart’s misery, the central defender was booked over the penalty incident and then picked up a second yellow 15 minutes from time for sarcastically applauding the linesman.
Davidson added: “It was frustration, and it’s very hard to take as a player.
“The referees have hard decisions to make – would VAR have helped? Maybe. But you can’t be sure what decision VAR would have made.
“We had a goal that was disallowed for offside against Hibs at the start of last season that was onside and had a last-minute penalty given against us.
“There are similar themes at the start of this season but we’ll remain positive.
“Jamie will be missed for the next game but there were a lot of positive signs – Ali Crawford was superb and Chris Kane was excellent – and we’re getting boys back from injury.”