Ref got penalty call wrong, says Kettlewell
Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell raged at referee Craig Napier for failing to give his side a penalty in their 2-1 loss to Dundee United.
The Staggies’ unbeaten start to the season went up in smoke in Dingwall yesterday as the Tangerines came from behind to win all three points.
Kettlewell blasted whistler Napier for what he perceived to be a foul by United defender Mark Connolly on Harry Paton inside the box.
Napier waved the complaints away, however, and booked Paton for simulation.
When the dust had settled, Kettlewell was still convinced his side should have been awarded a spot kick.
“It was a stonewall penalty,” he said. “I’ve seen it back and the referee has assured us it wasn’t a penalty.
“I had a chat with him at half-time. We asked the question, he guaranteed us it wasn’t but if it was he was going to apologise to us.
“I’ve not had my apology yet.”
Of his side’s display, the Staggies gaffer was left perplexed by what he saw.
County had started the season strongly, with wins over Motherwell and Hamilton before a hard-fought midweek draw with Kilmarnock.
They dominated much of the first half but faded badly.
The defeat to United left Kettlewell berating a side a “shadow” of what he had seen earlier in the campaign, citing a lack of leadership as their downfall.
County head to Paisley next weekend to face St Mirren hoping to rectify their poor display.
He added: “The biggest frustration is letting the game slip away after completely dominating for 40 minutes.
“We had the better chances, the better possession and the chances fell to the correct players.
“Coll Donaldson took his goal exceptionally well but we conceded a poor goal and that’s when things went wrong for us.
“That’s when we were looking for our leaders and our personalities to step forward but it didn’t happen.
“We looked a shadow of what we’ve been over the last three and a half games.”