Malky Mackay frustrated over lack of parity as Ross County lose at Dundee United
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Malky Mackay was disappointed at what he saw as inconsistent officiating that cost Ross County dearly in a 2–1 defeat at Dundee United.
The game revolved around three penalty decisions for handball – all of which went against the Staggies.
In the first half United midfielder Dylan Levitt appeared to kick the ball on to his own hand, which was not given, before a penalty was awarded against Declan Drysdale in the second.
Then again at the very end with County chasing a last-gasp equaliser, Regan Charles-Cook was adamant his shot was blocked by a hand, but again referee David Munro waved away County’s claims.
“Somebody has sent me the picture of a stonewall penalty we should have had in the first half when the boy’s arm was out,” Staggies manager Mackay said after the full time whistle.
“I don’t really understand that one – if they are going to do the same for both then that one is clear.
“If we are going by ball to hand rather than hand to ball, Declan’s hand is not up, it’s down by his body.
“I just think if you don’t do one, you don’t do the other. The crowd are going to shout for it but I’m just looking for a bit of parity on that one.
“The first half was a fairly sticky affair for both teams with not many chances.
“In the second half we changed it a little bit and stepped on to the game with two or three great chances.
“We looked as though we were on the ascendancy but after they scored the penalty, it gave them a little bit of momentum and they got the cross in and scored from it. I’m disappointed we lost the game.”
That disappointment will have stung on the road back up to Dingwall midweek.
If there is any sort of consolation to take from it though, it is that such a reaction is in many ways a mark of how far Ross County have come in recent months from when they were bottom of the table and desperate for any point they could get.
“Coming out of Tannadice on a Wednesday night as Ross County being gutted we lost, there’s certainly a sea change in terms of that,” Mackay added.
“We are a group of players, staff and a club that was coming down looking to win. There is confidence that we are in every game we play. We’ve just got to keep the momentum going.
“There have been times before when we have not had the rub of the green but played okay, so we just need to get back to that again. It’s up to us to get ourselves dusted down, recovered and ready for the weekend.”
