Dee boss slams VAR in penalty row as hopes of Europe fade

Dundee boss Tony Docherty slammed ick Walsh’s VAR decision to overturn a first-half penalty at Hearts.

The Jambos ran out 3-0 winners in the end but, despite the scoreline, the Dens boss was pleased with the overall performance from his side.

Hearts took the lead through Kenneth Vargas in the first half before a Lyall Cameron shot hit Stephen Kingsley on the arm in the home box.

Referee Walsh wasted no time in pointing to the spot but he was sent to the monitor to review the decision. And, after a wait, he changed his mind.

Docherty was furious at that decision and pointed to a penalty won by Hearts at Dens ark in February via VAR for a Lee Ashcroft handball as further fuel to his ire.

“I was really pleased with the team performance and I don’t think it is a 3-0 game,” Docherty said.

“We went toe-to-toe with them but I think we made two mistakes. To me the pivotal moment in the game was the decision not to give the penalty kick. I’m perplexed at that.

“If you look at the fixture at Dens, there is an identical situation where the ball strikes Lee Ashcroft on the hand and that penalty is given.

“That’s where the frustration comes. It is 1-0 and we have done very well, I’m pleased and I’m confident Luke Mccowan goes and scores that penalty. Then it’s game on.

“It has been too many times when decisions have gone against us and the inconsistency frustrates not just me, but every football manager.”

Asked if he got an explanation from the officials, Docherty replied: “ o, I got nothing. I was right behind it and when he gave it, I thought it was a penalty kick.

“The arm is out. I don’t think the camera angles are clear from what I’ve seen.

“For such a pivotal decision in a game at 1-0 you need to be sure. I can only base it on experience from the identical situation at Dens. Why is one a penalty and the other is not

“The referee is on the pitch, he smells it, he feels it. Everyone in our dugout thinks it’s a penalty kick.”

He added: “There’s so much riding on that, with Kilmarnock having a good result. If we win that game and I’m not saying it allows us to win the game but it gives us an opportunity.

“It puts the game at 1-1 and we’d have been in a good position.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get it and then we lost a second goal which, as manager and players, was our fault.

“I hold my hand up for that, and we lost a third goal because we went for it, and I accept the culpability for that but I would like others to accept responsibility.”

The defeat sees Dundee five points behind St Mirren with two games to go, meaning back-to-back victories over Rangers and Kilmarnock are re uired to have any chance of European football next season.

The Dark Blues may be without Jordan Mcghee for the trip to Ibrox tomorrow after he was forced off at half-time.

“Jordan had a stomach bug that he never actually knew about until five minutes before the game,” Docherty revealed.

“He came off the pitch halfway through the first half, so we had to replace him.

“We’ll need to make sure he stays away from the rest of the players with the game being on Tuesday night.”

Docherty rang the changes for the trip to the capital after the dismal defeat to St Mirren and there was more purpose about the Dee start than against the Buddies.

Temperatures were punishing, though, as the sun beat down on the Tynecastle pitch.

A drinks break halfway through the half and a stoppage to clear beach balls from the pitch were not a usual sight in Scottish football.

Ryan Astley, too, was an unusual sight in a Dundee shirt but he started strongly as he denied Hearts an early chance. He was making his first start for the club after replacing Ricki Lamie in the line-up.

Jon Mccracken then pushed a Vargas header over as the home side enjoyed the better of the chances.

The Dee had moments of their own but without testing Craig Gordon.

But they were caught out on 35 minutes as Hearts found Barrie Mckay inside the area and he crossed for Vargas to knock home at the far post.

Dundee thought they had a spot-kick on 41 minutes when Walsh pointed to the spot. A trip to the monitor, however, saw the referee change his decision on the ball striking Kingsley on the arm.

That saw the Dark Blues go in at the break a goal behind to hear news that St Mirren were also losing.

But the result in aisley was irrelevant if Dundee couldn’t win this game.

And it got much harder on 53 minutes after they gave away a poor goal.

wen Dodgson tried to play offside as Hearts broke but the timing was wrong and Alan Forrest scurried in behind. Mccracken came out but ended up in no man’s land as the Hearts winger nipped past him and knocked the ball into the empty net.

Luke Mccowan then stung the hands of Gordon before the Scotland veteran denied Dodgson with a fine save at his back post.

Sub Ryan Howley put one past the post and Michael Mellon saw a couple of efforts fly wide as Dundee pushed to get back into the game.

But there was no way past Gordon before Lawrence Shankland sealed the points on 89 minutes as the Dee threw men forward.