PEARCE’S PRAISE FOR HONEST REF
Late pen keeps up Rowett’s good run
NOTTINGHAM Forest’s players and bench were raging after a controversial late Paul Caddis penalty gave Birmingham victory, but honest manager Stuart Pearce admitted the officials got it right.
Britt Assombalonga was dismissed for deliberate handball after keeping out Michael Morrison’s header but only after the intervention of fourth official Nigel Smith.
Referee Geoff Eltingham initially awarded a corner but following Birmingham protests he consulted with Smith before pointing to the spot.
Caddis converted the 89thminute penalty to prompt angry scenes on the sidelines while Forest’s players confronted Eltringham at the end.
But Pearce said:“Well done to the officials for getting the decision right eventually. I, at the time along with Gary Rowett, thought it was a handball in normal time watching it.
“I was surprised the referee or the linesperson nearest to it did not see it but credit to the fourth official who put his neck on the block and made the decision on behalf of the three officials.
“The only question I asked the referee coming down the tunnel is how he did not see it or his linesperson did not see it. The fourth official five yards behind me, and myself, both saw it as a handball.
“We as a football team historically have never hided behind an official’s decision. So I will not bemoan when officials get the decision correct.
“The referee was honest and said to me: ‘I did not see it so I could not give it.’ So fair enough.
“The fourth official said he is within his rights to give guidance to the referee in terms of whatever he sees on the pitch.
“I asked Britt afterwards if he’d handballed it. He’s an honest kid and said he did.
“There was not any anger from my point of view.”
The late controversy brought this game to life as Gary Rowett extended his own unbeaten run to five matches since replacing Lee Clark as Blues boss.
He was helped by a fabulous opener by David Cotterill who curled home, left-footed, into the top corner from the edge of the area after ten minutes.
Birmingham had chances for a second but were met by an inspired Karl Darlow in Forest’s goal as Clayton Donaldson was denied after winning the ball off a lacklustre Jamaal Lascelles.
Forest struggled to offer much of an attacking threat with several key players having an off-day. But Pearce threw caution to the wind late on, sending on Jamie Paterson and Tom Ince and going three at the back.
He appeared to be rewarded as Assombalonga headed in his 12th of the season after Paterson nodded on Eric Lichaj’s cross – but the Forest hitman quickly became villain with Caddis keeping his head from the spot.
“The officials have all shown some bravery,” said Rowett. “It took some serious amount of cojones to give that decision.
“It’s always easy when that decision has gone for you but we always criticise officials for not being brave enough and giving the decisions that change the course of the game.
“Having looked at it on the replay it was a clear handball so you can’t argue it wasn't the right decision.
“We rode our luck. We got a huge slice of fortune at the end.
“It’s been a good run, the players have a bit more confidence.
“Deep down, I felt this might be a game too far for us, but again I saw another level of performance and a reaction that suggests they want to keep it going.”