Deja vu for angry Dickov

Photo: Alan Howarth

BIG TALKING POINT . . . Athletic forward Robbie Simpson and ’keeper Sam Slocombe challenge for a cross. The ball ended up in the back of the net, but the ‘goal’ was controversially disallowed.

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov was furious last night that his side was denied a last-gasp winning goal for the second game running.

Against Notts County Jose Baxter’s header was chalked off due to an offside flag.

And last night another substitute, Robbie Simpson, was at fault — according to ref Geoff Eltringham - as the ball appeared to rebound off his head towards an empty goal after being dropped by Scunthorpe goalkeeper Sam Slocombe.

Matt Derbyshire had already scored his second goal in two games to draw Athletic level at 1-1, and the striker may have got the final touch to knock the ball home as the late drama unfolded.

But after repeatedly watching the footage, Dickov believes the goal should have stood.

“Their goalkeeper comes out, drops the ball against Robbie’s head and falls over him,” said Dickov. “I have seen it back about 15 times. It is a goal.

“Yet again, we have had a goal chopped off and the explanations I am getting from officials are really frustrating me.”

While admitting Athletic’s awful start, Dickov was more than pleased with the last hour: “In the end, we should have won the game. They were on their knees. We looked fitter, second half, we moved the ball faster and with better quality. It is two points dropped again but there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half.”


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