VAR decision meant Dee paid penalty: Doc
Dundee boss Tony Docherty was furious that his team did not get the chance to level from the spot in the defeat at Tynecastle.
Referee Nick Walsh awarded a penalty five minutes before the break following claims Lyall Cameron’s shot struck Stephen Kingsley’s arm.
But Walsh then overturned the decision after being asked to review the incident by VAR.
The Dens Park men then went on to lose two further goals and Docherty admits that decision could have a huge bearing on his team’s bid to hunt down European football.
He said: “I was really pleased with the team performance and I don’t think it is a 3-0 game.
“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 clarification from the officials, Docherty, whose side remained five points behind fifthplace St Mirren with two games left, added: “No, 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.
“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 – I’m not saying that at all – but it gives us an opportunity.
“It puts the game at 1-1 and I think our level of performance was very good and if we were going into the second half at 1-1, we’d have been in a good position.”