'What is the rule?' - Micky Mellon in referee call after Dundee United denied penalty against Hibs

Dundee United boss Micky Mellon has claimed there needs to be more consistency in big decisions in matches after his side were denied a penalty in their 2-0 defeat by Hibs.
Micky Mellon has urged referees to be more consistent with their decision makingMicky Mellon has urged referees to be more consistent with their decision making
Micky Mellon has urged referees to be more consistent with their decision making

With the score at 1-0, Terrors striker Lawrence Shankland hassled visiting defender Josh Doig in the penalty area, with the ball appearing to bounce up and strike the Easter Road defender on the arm.

Despite the hosts loudly claiming for a spot-kick neither referee Gavin Duncan nor his linesman signalled that a penalty should be awarded, and Hibs went on to win 2-0 thanks to Martin Boyle's second-half strike and Darren McGregor's 21st-minute opener.

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Speaking after the game the Terrors boss rued the decision just days after seeing two penalties given against his team in the 5-1 defeat by St Mirren.

Mellon said: “We pushed in the second half trying to get an equaliser and got in some good areas but just have to show a wee bit more composure, a wee bit more quality when we get in there.

"In terms of effort and tempo, I thought we were the better side in the second half without showing what was needed to get an equaliser.

"We were unlucky with the Lawrence Shankland effort and we should have had a penalty, if there's any consistency in decisions that are being made.”

‘What is the rule?’

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Pressed on the penalty claim which could have changed the outcome of the game, Mellon urged officials to be consistent in their decision-making.

He continued: "I think everybody's looked at the penalties given against us in the St Mirren game. The ball is blasted at Shankland - he hasn't moved his arm towards the ball - it's hit his arm and the referee's even booked him for it.

"The same thing, more or less, happens today and it doesn't go our way.

"So what is the rule? What is the rule? The linesman is what, ten yards away from it?

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"They're important decisions that you need to have consistency in; big decisions that you need to go your way if you're going to get an opportunity to get a result in tight games."

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