Goal scorer should have seen red – Lee

THANK YOU . . . Athletic boss Lee Johnson applauds the travelling Athletic fans.

FRUSTRATED with the performance of referee Carl Berry but proud of his team’s efforts, Athletic manager Lee Johnson felt that Brentford’s winning goal should not have been allowed to stand.

Jonathan Douglas headed in a far-post cross inside the second minute of added time, to hand the promotion-chasing home team three points at Griffin Park.

But Johnson felt experienced former Leeds and Blackburn man Douglas climbed on the back of Genseric Kusunga to score.

And he also insisted the player should not have even been on the pitch by that point, having been shown only a yellow card when hacking down Danny Philliskirk in the 85th minute of an entertaining, end-to-end clash.

“It is like having your heart ripped out,” said Johnson of the match-winning effort. “We didn’t deserve it and they should be thanking their lucky stars as they shouldn’t have had 11 men on the pitch at that point.

For all their endeavour, Athletic will look back on half-chances which failed to become full-blown scoring opportunities.

“We didn’t get what we deserved,” said Johnson. “On the break we were exceptional – apart from probably picking that early pass.

“Our team shape, our defensive line was concentrated and to concede a goal like we did is really disappointing. The boys worked their socks off against a good side and we were the better team on the day.

“The referee made some poor decisions in my book, which is disappointing yet again. It keeps happening. But I was really proud of the lads.”