McCann: Give us goal-line technology
PETERBOROUGH United manager Grant McCann called for goalline technology to be made available to Football League clubs after his striker Jack Marriott was denied a second successive hat-trick by an incorrect decision.
Marriott struck either side of a Kieffer Moore header to continue his rich vein of form, but his half-volley in the first period, which rattled the underside of the bar, was not given as a goal despite replays showing the ball crossed the line.
Posh have now won their opening three matches and McCann said: “We have goalline technology in the Premier League and Championship now, and it is needed at this level too.
“I knew right away from where I was standing that the ball bounced in and that goal would have given us an early advantage.
“It makes the officials’ lives so much easier to have the technology, but it was great to see Jack get his goals in the second half.
“The winner was tremendous. It would be getting raved about on
Match of the Day if it had been scored in the Premier League.
“Jack has made a real difference to us with his pace, aggression and constant pressing.”
Marriott, who signed from Luton in the summer for a reported £450,000, struck just after half-time, converting from a tight angle despite goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell getting a hand to his shot.
Moore, who also scored a hat-trick last weekend, then headed in Lee Frecklington’s left-wing cross, but when Semi Ajayi made a hash of a long ball Marriott nipped in to lob O’Donnell.
Posh were indebted to goalkeeper Jonathan Bond at 0-0 for an outstanding double save to deny Ryan Williams and Jamie Proctor, before Moore struck a follow-up against the post.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne was seething with the goals his side conceded.
He said: “I was not best pleased with the way we played in the first half. “In the second half we played better. We created enough chances to win the game three times over but did not take them.
“A calamity of a second goal cost us the game. It’s something we will have to deal with.
“The result has probably brought a few lads back down to Earth, thinking they can steamroll every team.
“In the first half a few looked a little lacklustre. I had a few harsh words at half-time and they looked better. But the two goals were shocking. The second goal – I’m incandescent with rage.”