TALKING ST MIRREN
RossblastsrefereeCharlestonafter Mikkelsen howler and safety claims
GARY MacKENZIE was pole-axed by Thomas Mikkelsen and referee Craig Charleston as Dundee United’s Danish striker celebrated a controversial opener.
The 6ft 4in St Mirren defender was left crumpled in a heap following the seventhminute flashpoint which left Jack Ross’ side furious.
Mikkelsen’s waist-high challenge was somehow permitted by Charleston as the Dane proceeded to lash home a thunderous volley.
Mikkelsen admitted later to MacKenzie he’d been guilty of a foul and, while the visitors recovered to equalise twice, the result put Saints back into the play-off position.
“I didn’t even know it was a goal,” reflected MacKenzie who went onto level matters with a towering 39th minute header.
“I was lying on the deck at the time and thought the noise was for the foul not being given.
“But I then got up and saw that the goal had stood.
“So a wee bit of the red mist came down as to why that kind off goal could possibly have been allowed to stand.
“It was just actual disbelief because it was a foul.
“I’ve taken it on my chest and he’s cracked me. The fella, to be fair to him, said it was a foul and he caught me near the waist. But you can’t take that back because it’s a goal.”
THIS was Saints’ first defeat in eight as Blair Spittal’s late goal gave United victory after Tony Andreu’s second-half free-kick for United was cancelled out by Buddies’ sub Josh Todd’s exquisite 86th minute strike.
It was tough on Ross’ players especially as it coincided with them slipping back into second-bottom place, and they were critical of Charleston again for punishing Stephen McGinn for what was deemed a deliberate pass-back which led to Andreu’s goal from an indirect free-kick inside the box.
MacKenzie, though, remains confident Saints can avoid the drop with clashes against Raith Rovers and Hibs left.“We deserved something,” stated the 31-year-old defender.
“So it’s disappointing and a bit of frustration with both their goals.
“A point would have been good but we have to get on with it against Raith Rovers and get a win to put us in a good position going into the final game.”
Meanwhile, United scorer Andreu conceded Ray McKinnon’s men were second-best.
Frenchman Andreu said: “Overall, they played better than us.
“But in the end, we showed that we wanted it more. That’s what we need to hang on to for the next games.” ST MIRREN boss Jack Ross says he will not hold his breath waiting for an apology from referee Craig Charleston after his Tannadice blunder.
Saints were looking to boost their survival hopes by extending their seven-match unbeaten run against Dundee United.
But they slumped to defeat after Charleston waved play on in the lead up to Thomas Mikkelsen’s opener despite the Dane wiping out Buddies midfielder Gary MacKenzie in the build-up.
Despite bravely fighting back twice as MacKenzie and Josh Todd netted either side of Tony Andreu’s strike for the Terrors, the Buddies were left frustrated as Blair Spittal smashed home the winner at the death.
But what really annoyed Ross was Charleston’s post-match comments, where he is alleged to have told Ross ninth-placed Saints will find a way to safety in their final two games.
Ross said: “It’s very simple — it’s a free-kick. The game doesn’t finish 1-0 but it still has a determining factor.
“I’m disappointed with some of his comments. My performance or where my team is going is of no relevance to him. His focus should be on getting decisions right on the pitch. I won’t hold my breath for an apology.”