Docherty rages after spot of controversy
DUNDEE manager Tony Docherty was left reeling after his team came out on the wrong side of another contentious VAR call when a game-changing penalty decision was overturned.
His anger after this heavy defeat to Hearts was only augmented at discovering that St Mirren, five points clear in third place and on course for European football, had also lost.
The visitors were already trailing to Kenneth Vargas’ opener when referee Nick Walsh pointed to the penalty spot over claims that Lyall Cameron’s fierce drive hit Steven Kingsley’s arm.
However, the official was asked to review the incident and then changed his mind.
Docherty, still furious about a penalty decision that went against his team in a home game against Hearts back in February, said:
‘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 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.
‘There’s so much riding on that, with Kilmarnock having a good result (against St Mirren). If we win that game — and I’m not saying it allows us to win the game, I’m not saying that at all — it gives us an opportunity.’
Both teams were full of energy despite the stifling heat and Hearts opened the scoring in the 35th minute through Vargas. The Costa Rican peeled into space at the back post and wrapped his foot around Barrie McKay’s cross to volley home from close range.
Dundee’s sense of injustice over the penalty was compounded when Hearts doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
Again it was McKay who provided the assist. The winger skipped away from substitute Ryan Howley and his piercing pass split the Dundee rearguard.
Alan Forrest got to the ball before goalkeeper Jon McCracken and slid his shot into the empty net.
Lawrence Shankland chipped in with his 29th goal of the campaign in the 90th minute with a left-footed drive from 12 yards after being found by substitute Scott Fraser.
Hearts manager Steven Naismith, whose team amassed their biggest points tally since 2006 after moving onto 66, said: ‘That’s really good, that is a good measure of us.
‘We’ve had a good season but if you focus on us and how we go about winning games, it’s a good marker. But I really want to get to 70.’