RAGING JIMMY FEELS OFF COLOUR

Jan 30 2005

HEARTS ................1 ABERDEEN ..........0

Scott Mcdermott At Tynecastle

FURIOUS Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood believes his side were robbed of a point when Steven Craig's 'goal' was chalked off by a linesman.

The Aberdeen gaffer insists Martin Cryans was 'the only man in the stadium' who thought striker John Stewart was offside before Craig blasted the ball into the net It was cruel luck on the Reds who had gone behind to a penalty in 61 minutes when Noel Whelan sent Steven Pressley tumbling in the box.

Dennis Wyness buried the spot-kick but Calderwood was convinced Craig's late strike had salvaged a point and kept fourth spot in the SPL.

Instead the Jambos climb above the Dons whose boss couldn't hide his frustration.

Calderwood said: 'We were poor in the first half even though Noel had a great chance to score but didn't make Craig Gordon produce a save.

'But we were better in the second half and because we felt aggrieved at the penalty decision we started to play at pace.

'Then we got what we thought was a good goal but the only man in the stadium who didn't think it was put his flag up.

'I don't understand how one man out of 12,000 doesn't think it was a goal.

'I thought when the ball comes back off a post as it did you can't be offside but maybe they have changed the rules.

'I don't want to go in and see the linesman because it could mean a trip to Hampden and I don't want that.

'We're disappointed because we're a young team who battled back well. I'll have to lift them now for the next game.'

Calderwood subbed striker Whelan after the penalty incident that handed Hearts their winner.

It was the second week on the trot the Dons boss has hooked him for his own good and he admits the Englishman's petulance is a worry.

The Dons boss said: 'Of course it's a concern. Big Noel gets frustrated easily and I had to take him off before was sent off. He has to learn how to play in this league but it's a problem we'll sort.'

Paul Hartley was missing for the Jambos - officially due to a hamstring strain - but the midfielder's future remains in doubt after he handed in a transfer request in a bid to join Celtic.

Young Lithuanian Sualius Mikoliunas had his first start for Hearts in front of Vladimir Romanov who was in the Tynecastle stand for the first time.

However, it was the Dons who had the first attempt on goal in five minutes. Michael Hart's cross was cleared by Andy Webster and Kevin McNaughton let rip with a 25-yard piledriver that flew just past the upright.

Neither side looked capable of stringing four passes together.

But in 29 minutes Wyness produce a cracking cross from the left only to see Lee Miller's downward header bounce wide.

It was dire stuff. Whelan's only contribution was fouling and he was booked for a barge on Stephen Simmons in 35 minutes.

Darren Mackie's piercing run and shot five minutes before the break forced Craig Gordon into a decent save.

The best chance of the half came in stoppage time when McNaughton's magnificent turn on the left sent him clear.

His deep cross was perfect for Whelan who controlled the ball superbly on his chest but blasted wide of Gordon's far post. Hearts went straight up the pitch and hit the woodwork - Wyness' overhead kick cannoning off the bar.

The final minute of the first half augured well for the second period and four minutes into it Joe Hamill almost gave Hearts the lead.

Robbie Neilson's centre was met flush on the forehead by the little striker but he powered his effort just over.

Jamie Winter was booked for a late lunge on Neilson.

Just two minutes later though Hearts were awarded their penalty. Pressley produced a forceful run into the box and was tracked well by Whelan.

But the striker's clumsy challenge sent Elvis tumbling and McCurry pointed to the spot.

Whelan was lucky not to be sent off as he remonstrated with Pressley before Wyness stroked the ball past Gordon.

Calderwood was fuming with Whelan and subbed him, much to the disgust of the burly hitman.

In 70 minutes the home side might have had another penalty when Simmons went down under a challenge from Winter. It looked as strong a shout as the previous one but the ref waved play on.

Craig and Richie Foster were introduced for the Dons and the former Motherwell man almost grabbed an equaliser within minutes of coming on.

He found space in the box and his drilled shot had to be parried by Gordon to safety.

Lithuanian winger Mikoliunas received a rousing reception when he went off to allow Mark Burchill his Jambos debut.

With just four minutes left Dons thought they had salvaged a point. Michael Hart's majestic chip was tipped on to the post by Gordon and sub Craig slotted home the rebound.

But as he ran to celebrate the stand-side linesman put his flag up for offside - infuriating the Dons fans and bench alike.

Jambos boss John Robertson felt it WAS offside and his side deserved all three points.

And Robbo is desperate to keep star man Hartley.

He said: 'Everyone here understand Paul's dilemma - it's the team he supported as a boy.

'If Celtic meet our valuation he'll be their player but £200,000 is an insult.

'Would they accept £2 million for Chris Sutton? I don't think so.'

Taken from the Sunday Mail