TWO-FACED LINESMAN COST US DREAM RAPS CRAWFORD

SICKENED Stevie Crawford last night insisted Aberdeen were robbed of a stonewall penalty as their Scottish Cup dreams were shattered.

The striker claims he was fouled by Hearts defender Andy Webster at a crucial time in the first half.

It could have led to a red card for Scotland stopper Webster and with Jimmy Calderwood's men trailing 1-0 at the time it would have changed the complexion of the tie.

But despite referee Kenny Clark telling Crawford he'd missed the controversial incident the experienced hitman was puzzled at linesman Neil Brand not making the call and his apparent explanation after the 3-0 loss.

Crawford, 32, also believes 10-man Dons may still be in the Cup he'd got the decision.

He sighed: "Kenny said his view was blocked and I accept refereeing is not the easiest thing in the world to do.

"But I've heard the linesman has given two versions afterwards. He seems to have said I played for it but also that he never saw it.

"I don't want it to sound like sour grapes but I don't see why I would go down in the six-yard box when there was a great chance of scoring.

"Andy Webster had his arms around my waist and it was a clear penalty.

"It was a key decision. If they'd gone down to 10 men it could have been a different story."

Crawford also paid tribute to the team's travelling support and tipped either Dons' conquerors or their city rivals Hibs to go on and snatch cup glory at Hampden.

He said: "A lot of credit has to go to our fans because they stuck by us and shared the players' frustrations. But we gave a good account of ourselves after the break.

"It was a sore one to lose because our league form has been patchy and we wanted a good run in the cup. It now looks as if it will be between Hearts and Hibs."

Crawford insists Dons now have to put the disappointment behind them and set about improving their league position.

He said: "We must pick ourselves up and push on for a top-six spot."

Calderwood was also left reflecting on the decisions that went against his side.

Apart from Crawford's penalty appeal Dons also conceded a spot-kick on the stroke of half time. But they felt Zander Diamond's challenge on Michal Pospisil was outside the box and to rub salts into their wounds the Aberdeen man was dismissed for denying a scoring chance.

Steven Pressley duly converted the kick to put Hearts three up.

On their penalty claim, Calderwood said: "Crawford is an honest lad and he said it was a stonewaller.

"If we got it and their boy was sent off it's a different story.

"Kenny says he missed it or so he said to Russell Anderson - but I've not spoken to him. The linesman says Stevie was looking for it but later claimed he didn't see it which is strange.

"For our one the lad said he was never in the box and Zander got sent off so it was tough.

"Their goals were well worked but we'll look at ourselves. They have nipped in front of our defenders for two similar goals.

"Take nothing away from Hearts but it was definitely not a 3-0 score-line at half-time.

"And all credit to my players for battling away. I said to them at the break this could go two ways.

"You could go and surrender or go and battle. And there were great performances in the second half.

"We had two against two at the back and Anderson and Scott Sev-erin were outstanding

"We were playing a good team who are strong at the back but still created a few chances.

"The penalty incident with Crawford was the turning point and it is a case of what could have been. Other days it might go for us.

"Tynecastle is such a good arena to play in with the crowd on top of you like at Celtic Park and Ibrox.

"Our defending let us down and that's something we'll have to work on in training.

"But there's no doubt the key decisions went against us and that cost us dearly."

Taken from the Sunday Mail