What did Don Cowie query with the referee in Ross County’s loss to Hibernian?
Scottish Premiership
Hibernian 3
Ross County 1
Scorers - Hibernian: Gayle (45) Youan (72 pen) Campbell (90) Ross County: Campbell (2)
MANAGER Don Cowie says he queried why the referee allowed more than the indicated five minutes of injury time in the first half as Ross County lost 3-1 to Hibernian at Easter Road.
Eli Campbell gave Ross County the lead after two minutes when he scored his first goal for the club with a header from close range.
But Hibernian leveled on the stroke of half time when Dwight Gayle nodded home a cross from Junior Hoilett, after the five minutes of injury time that was allocated.
Hibernian were then awarded a penalty midway through the second half when Dwight Gayle was brought down in the box, but Nicky Cadden’s penalty was saved by Jack Hamilton.
But Hibernian were awarded another penalty minutes later when Ryan Leak pulled Josh Campbell down and Elie Youan made no mistake from the spot.
Youan then played provide to set up Josh Campbell in the box to wrap up victory for Hibernian and make it 3-1.
The win means Hibernian have leapfrogged Ross County into eighth place with the Staggies dropping to ninth.
Speaking after the match, Cowie queried why more injury time was played in the first half than was indiciated.
“I spoke to the officials as we were over the five minutes that were put up. Hibs looked to break but then they play a backward pass. The referee put the whistle to his mouth, he is about to blow and he has decided that his words were that he thought about blowing the whistle and he didn’t.”
Cowie says it was disappointing Ross County conceded two penalties, which Hibernian scored one and said they have to be better in defence.
He said: “We spoke about before the game and to the ref about shirt pulling and that is our responsibility.
“We give Hibs two opportunities to score from a penalty and it is not acceptable.”
