Argyle Boss Slams Owls Goal

Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Holloway was left fuming after referee Rob Lewis allowed Steve Maclean’s opener to stand in Tuesday night’s Chasmpionship clash at Hillsborough.

Maclean gave Wednesday a 21st minute lead against the Pilgrims in controversial circumstances which left the majority of the near-20,000 Hillsborough crowd puzzled as to how the referee and his linesman hadn’t spotted a foul on goalkeeper Luke McCormick from Deon Burton.

The former Derby hitman looked to have been pushed in to McCormick, who spilled the ball at the feet of Steve Maclean who calmly slotted in to the empty net.

But after discussing the decision with his linesman, Lewis allowed the goal to stand which sparked outrage from the Argyle players on the pitch and the coaching staff on the sidelines.

‘I have to say I think one of my old favourite cartoon characters Mr Magoo would have seen that,’ said Holloway.

‘I’ve just seen it on a laptop and I don’t know why I’m laughing, I don’t think anyone in the ground would have been bothered if he’d blown up for a free-kick.

‘It looked like Burton was fired out of a cannon and knocked him over. The referee said he didn’t see it and neither did the linesman. Hopefully what goes around comes around and we’ll get what we deserve.’

And Owls boss Brian Laws admitted it seemed a ‘bizarre’ decision to allow the goal to stand.

He said: ‘I’ve not seen a replay of the goal, it was a bizarre one and it will be interesting to hear what the referee has to say about it. I don’t know if Deon collided with their ‘keeper and he dropped the ball or what happened.’