Johnston ‘dive’ fury over penalty award
SIX days after the Alex Schalk furore in Dingwall, a new cheating storm erupted in Fife as Falkirk came from behind to hold on to second place in the Championship.
Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston claimed video evidence proved that Myles Hippolyte dived to win a 53rd-minute penalty and then bragged about his simulation in the tunnel after the game.
The Fifers had been ahead through Nicky Clark’s 35th-minute strike when referee Gavin Duncan felt that goalkeeper Sean Murdoch pulled down Hippolyte just in the six-yard box.
Despite protests, the decision stood, Aaron Muirhead converted and Falkirk went on to win the match through Nathan Austin’s header after Dunfermline lost Lewis Martin to a red card.
Johnston said: “It was never a penalty. I have seen it on the video. Sean Murdoch palmed the ball out and Hippolyte just dives – and for him to say that in the tunnel after the game as well is really frustrating. I don’t know if he was trying to be smart but it’s poor when you see boys diving.
“I felt we had played well and were in control and that decision changed the game. I asked the referee if he wanted to see the video – even although I’m not allowed – just to make him see how big a mistake it was. It was a massive game for us and we were desperate to win it but that decision cost us.”
Clark’s well-executed right-foot shot from the right side of the box into the left corner had given Dunfermline a deserved lead after 35 minutes.
Then came the contentious penalty decision and, after concerted Dunfermline complaints, Muirhead stayed calm to score from the spot. Things got worse for the hosts when substitute Martin was sent off in 58 minutes, just three minutes after replacing Callum Morris.
The defender was caught wrong side as Craig Sibbald played in John Baird. He pulled down the Falkirk striker when he was in a goalscoring position and Duncan flashed the red card. Falkirk proceeded to score a terrific winner after 70 minutes. Sibbald burst forward on the left and clipped a great cross to the back post where Austin powered a header low into the right corner.
The win keeps Falkirk a point ahead of Dundee United in the race for second. Manager Peter Houston said: “Myles won us the penalty. I couldn’t see it but I know Sandy Clark and Allan weren’t very happy with it.
“Nathan has taken a bit of time to get into full-time football but it was a great header to win it for us. It’s three great points as it keeps us in second place.”