KEARNEY: GORDON IS LUCKY NOT TO SEE RED

ST MIRREN boss Oran Kearney insisted that referee Kevin Clancy should have sent off Hamilton defender Ziggy Gordon at a crucial stage of yesterday’s 3-1 loss at the Simple Digital Arena.

The Buddies were pushing hard for a leveller when 2-1 behind and felt hard done by when Clancy only handed Gordon a caution for pulling back Simeon Jackson — who was later sent off himself for two bookable offences — as he tried to race through on goal in the 51st minute.

The Accies left-back, who scored his side’s second, insists the official called it right as a result of defender Matt Kilgallon being on hand to provide cover.

However, Kearney can’t understand why Gordon stayed on the park with his No 2 Brian Rice aiming a blast at fourth official David Munro in the technical area after the decision was made.

‘Ziggy Gordon should have been sent off. I thought we were on the front foot in the second half and that was our moment,’ said the Northern Irishman.

‘I was pretty much celebrating. If you’re inside the box, it’s a yellow card and a penalty. But it’s a cynical challenge outside the box.

‘That’s the most black-andwhite decision of the day. You talk about momentum and we were right on the front foot in a crucial part of the game.

‘If they go down to 10 men, that gives us a great chance of kicking on.’

Gordon, though, insists he was never worried about being sent for an early bath.

‘I am experienced enough to know when to do it and when not to,’ he said. ‘I knew that Kilgallon was covering and the ball was going to the side.’

Kearney paid tribute to the deliveries from Accies’ James Keatings for his rivals’ first two goals. ‘He sent in two quality crosses and a cracking finish,’ he said. ‘You’d have to say he was the difference.’