LATE DECISIONS IRK BREWSTER

Dundee United manager Craig Brewster bemoaned two contentious decisions by referee Dougie McDonald as Hearts dramatically earned a 1-1 draw at Tannadice courtesy of a disputed penalty eight minutes from time.

Paul Hartley equalised from the spot for the embattled Tynecastle club who have been rocked by allegations that majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov is now in charge of team selection.

Barry Robson was then dismissed in the 85th minute for a foul on Steven Pressley and although Julien Brellier also received a red card, Brewster was frustrated to be denied a win in controversial circumstances.

He said:

"To lose the penalty in the manner we did was annoying but the biggest disappointment for me was to lose Barry Robson so close to the end of the game.

"He was strong to hold the ball up and although he just knocked it a touch in front of himself he tried his best to retrieve it.

"But in doing so Barry fouled Steven Pressley and the referee then gave him a straight red card which I thought was extremely harsh.

"I thought we were very comfortable throughout the second half until the referee saw something which he thought merited a penalty kick.

"The incident happened about 10 yards from where the ball was which was frustrating, but I have told the players that I thought they were immense and performances like that are how we can progress."

Despite the speculation surrounding Hearts Brewster insisted none of his players were affected by the latest news regarding Romanov, although he did admit to feeling some sympathy for his opposite number Graham Rix.

He said: "What was happening at Hearts is no concern of mine although we all heard about it before the game.

"But I was only concerned with my 11 players on the park who had to remain focused and in the end they did a fantastic job.

"All I can say is that I wouldn't like to be in Graham's position."

In a tense press conference, Graham Rix refused to comment on the speculation that he had lost control of first-team matters.
He said: "I'm not going to comment on things like that.

"It's been a tough day, I'm not going to say it hasn't but I'm delighted by the way we played."

Asked why Scotland defender Andy Webster had been dropped from the side, Rix replied: "Andy Webster wasn't dropped. Just because he wasn't playing doesn't mean he was dropped."

When challenged on the six changes to his side, Rix said: "That's between me and the guys."

Taken from sportinglife.com