FOOTBALL: Managers unhappy after four-goal thriller
THERE was plenty of fighting spirit shown – both on and off the pitch – as Linfield came back from the dead at Stangmore Park.
The league leaders were minutes from suffering a second straight defeat when Steven Douglas scored to complete a stunning comeback.
This was a game which had everything – four terrific goals, a controversial red card and a sideline scuffle which saw both managers sent from the dugout.
It ended with Linfield still three points clear at the head of the table, while Dungannon remain well placed in the top half at the halfway stage.
The mist which enveloped the ground was firmly of the red variety as the game exploded into life midway through the second half, sparked by a mistimed challenge from Dungannon defender Andrew Ferguson on Jamie Mulgrew.
David Malcolm was initially about to raise a yellow card but was approached by his assistant. Apparently acting on that advice, the referee then produced a red card and sent Ferguson from the pitch.
Robinson was furious and became involved in an altercation with David Jeffrey, leading to both being sent from the touchline.
On the pitch, Linfield staged a remarkable comeback to rescue a point having trailed to goals from Shane Coney and Timmy Adamson.
Paul Munster reduced the deficit before Douglas headed home four minutes from the end to rescue a point for the battling Blues.
However Jeffrey was far from happy after the match – both with his side's sloppy performance and the decisions made by the officials.
"We get credit in terms of character and fighting spirit, but our overall performance was not good enough and it is two points dropped," he said.
"We didn't dominate the game in the same way we did against Portadown last week, but we certainly had chances and should have been at least one goal ahead at half time.
"I said last week that it's okay to play very well and not take three points, but I can't let that go two weeks running and I'm not happy."
The referee was also on the receiving end of Jeffrey's anger after he and Robinson were both ordered from the dugout in the second half.
"The incident between myself and Dixie was merely a coming together which lasted a milli-second," he added. "Ironically, before we even got down to the touchline we were talking, we shook hands and we watched the rest of the game together.
"But we can'T criticise referees because, when we do, we are jumped on from a height. What I can say is that it would be nice to be treated like an adult."
The first half saw chances at either end. Douglas wasted a free header, Mulgrew's strike came back off the post while teenager Niall Morgan, making his first league start, produced a top-class save to block Mark Miskimmin's effort.
Linfield goalkeeper Stuart Addis also made a terrific save to turn away Neil McCafferty's free-kick before keeping out Coney's low effort.
The game came to life in the second half with Dungannon edging in front two minutes after the restart. Coney picked up possession in the box, turned and sent a low shot past Addis and into the bottom corner.
Adamson then doubled that lead with a stunning goal. He made a surging run, ghosting past three players before slotting home.
It was looking grim for Linfield but they hit back within five minutes to give themselves hope. Munster attacked a terrific cross from Burns, planting a powerful header beyond Morgan, before Douglas levelled in the dying minutes.
Despite that blow, Dungannon boss Dixie Robinson was delighted with his side's battling display, and also pointed an accusing finger at the officials' role.
"The sending off cost us the win," he fumed. "The referee had made his decision and taken the yellow card out of his pocket and then the assistant referee decides to walk on to the pitch and changes his mind.
"I was so proud of my players and I thought they were absolutely outstanding. They gave me everything that I asked for. Decisions robbed us of the win today. It was no fault of the players who were absolutely immense."
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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