Kilmarnock 0-1 Ross County: Murray goal settles match after hosts' penalty controversy
- Published
'The referee has apologised to me, it should have been a draw' - McInnes
Derek McInnes believes Kilmarnock were dealt "a huge wrong" after they had a goal controversially ruled out in the defeat by Ross County.
Stuart Findlay netted but referee Kevin Clancy blew immediately for a foul on Brad Lyons and Danny Armstrong had the subsequent penalty saved.
Simon Murray earlier headed what proved to be the only goal for the game for Ross County as they moved on to six points four four games, two more than Killie.
"It's a perfectly good goal," McInnes told BBC Scotland. "The referees will all tell you, we've got to let the phase of play run through.
"The referee's apologised. He said he blew too early. He told me he wasn't expecting Stuart Findlay to score from there. I don't know if he was apologising for giving the penalty that wasn't a penalty or apologising for the goal. But, equally both were bad decisions.
"We shouldn't expect the referee to blow. It's not his job to decide that he doesn't think someone's going to score from there. He should let the phase of play run.
"It just felt a huge wrong, it felt wrong that we never got the goal. We should be getting at least a point for our efforts."
Malky Mackay's County are sixth with McInnes' Kilmarnock ninth but Sunday's games may alter that going into the international break.
The first half's main talking point came after Findlay poked the ball away with Murray in close quarters and the County forward hit the deck. Referee Clancy pointed to the spot but was persuaded by his VAR colleagues to look at the incident again and ultimately went back on his original call.
For Kilmarnock, Matty Kennedy had an effort blocked and David Watson and Brad Lyons drew saves from Ross Laidlaw.
County struggled to offer much punch in attack themselves, but Yan Dhanda's delicious delivery unlocked the game, the ball arriving with just the right amount of pace for Murray to direct it goalwards.
And County should have doubled their lead when defender Jack Baldwin ventured forward and laid on a pass that Jordan White blazed over.
Suspicions were raised when Will Nightingale got a hold of Findlay's shirt in the box but nothing was given and Kyle Turner tested Dennis at the other end moments later.
Magennis found the necessary space to get away a shot but Laidlaw kept his clean sheet intact.
And then came the incident that would ultimately seal Killie's fate. Findlay celebrated after beating Laidlaw with a header from Kennedy's free-kick but could not believe his eyes as referee Clancy pointed to the spot. Armstrong struck low but Laidlaw was equal to it.
And the keeper excelled again when he turned substitute Marley Watkins' header out for a corner late on.
Player of the match - Ross Laidlaw
The Ross County goalkeeper (middle) made some fine saves, none more so than the penalty block
Referee call a bitter pill for Killie to swallow - analysis
Kilmarnock were left bemused by the decision not to allow Findlay's goal to stand but they still had it within their gift to find the net with the Armstrong penalty.
Overall, the hosts had the better chances, but their accuracy and composure let them down and they came up against a goalkeeper in inspired form.
The game had been crying out for one moment of quality before the Dhanda set piece for the Murray goal and County were resolute thereafter.
Three points on the road are always welcome but wins like this one could have a big bearing on where the Staggies end up this season.
What the managers said
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes: "It should be a draw, there's no doubt about it. We have been so harshly treated. My club deserve better. We deserve better than that. It was clearly a mistake from Kevin.
"It's compounded by us missing a penalty. Nobody's blaming Danny and he shouldn't feel any kind of real weight on his shoulders with that. He's normally spot on with his penalties. Anybody can miss a penalty."
Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "Fantastic, really good result. It's a statement. Kilmarnock are a really tough team to play. To come in and get the win, I'm really delighted. We stood really firm; defended really doggedly.
"To be fair, Kevin Clancy blows very early; before the ball goes anywhere near somebody's head. It looks rough justice. That's the rules that VAR has imposed. If I'm Derek [McInnes], I'm absolutely gutted with it. If you actually read the instruction that they're all due to take, the referee did the correct thing."
What's next?
After the international break, Kilmarnock host Hibernian on Saturday, 16 September, when Ross County are at home to Livingston (both 15:00 BST).