Elgin City boss Gavin Price insists poor officiating is costing his side on the road after the 10-man Black and Whites lost 2-1 at East Fife.
Having been reduced to 10 men after the seventh-minute dismissal of Lewis Nicolson for a high challenge on East Fife’s Joao Balde, City were furious when Kane Hester was brought down by home goalkeeper Allan Fleming.
The incident would have led to a penalty and red card for Fleming, but referee Iain Sneddon turned down Elgin’s appeal.
Price said: “Hester was brought down and it should have been a penalty and a sending off for Fleming.
“I haven’t seen the incident back again and I don’t need to. We knew at the time by the reaction of the players and everyone in Bayview that it was a penalty and would have been a sending off.
“Let’s not split any hairs about it – it was a massive moment in the game and it’s unacceptable.
Decision the latest big call to go against City
Price believes the incident is the third time his side has been hit hard by decisions on the road this season.
He said: “Unfortunately for the third away fixture this season, the referee has had a massive influence on the result.
“That’s now eight points I firmly believe we’ve lost because of it and these points add up come the end of the season. It’s not right.”
Hester nets 20th of the season to haul City level, before East Fife win it
East Fife opened the scoring against the 10-man Black and Whites in the 22nd minute when captain Scott Mercer fired home from Alex Ferguson’s corner.
Fleming denied City an equaliser just before the break when he saved from Russell Dingwall, but Hester put Elgin back on level terms in the 52d minute as he fired home his 20th goal of the season.
East Fife regained the lead 22 minutes from time from the penalty spot after Scott Shepherd was deemed to have been tripped by Angus Mailer. Alan Trouten stepped up to slot home the resulting spot-kick as East Fife recorded just their second home win of the season.
Price proud despite defeat
Despite the disappointment at the defeat, Price was delighted with his players’ efforts in trying circumstances at New Bayview.
The dejected City boss said: “We had been down to 10 men from the seventh minute and were the better team throughout.
“We created the most chances in the game and that’s why the players are gutted to have come away with nothing.
“I’m gutted for them, but I’m proud of the players’ performance and how they managed to keep going in the game when they were up against it.
“It’s heartbreaking that we didn’t get anything from the game.”
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