Preston wronged twice after 'stonewall' incident vs Blackburn

Keith Hackett: Preston wronged twice after ‘stonewall’ incident vs Blackburn

Preston North End can feel majorly aggrieved over two penalty decisions that went against them in their defeat to Blackburn Rovers, Keith Hackett has said.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Paul Heckingbottom’s side were unfortunate not both to concede a penalty, and not be given one themselves.

It was a dramatic match at Ewood Park on Friday night (31 January), with the hosts claiming a 2-1 win that ended a three-match losing win.

That was heavily influenced by two big penalty calls in the second half that went in favour of Blackburn, although Hackett believes Preston were hard done by in both.

Blackburn get lucky with penalty calls vs Preston – Hackett

With the hosts leading 1-0 following Makhtar Gueye’s first-half header, they were then given the chance to double their lead midway through the second half from the penalty spot.

As a deep corner was sent into the Preston area, visiting centre back Jack Whatmough attempted to win the ball in the air after back-pedalling multiple steps across the penalty box.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

His attempt to do so failed, and he instead moved into the path Dominic Hyam, crashing his head into the chin of the Blackburn defender, who was left in need of treatment on the pitch for several minutes.

That prompted referee Josh Smith to point to the spot, and not for the first time this season, Todd Cantwell converted the penalty to put his side 2-0 up.

Preston would pull a goal back in the third minute of six added on through Brad Potts, and then felt they should have been given the chance to equalise with a penalty of their own.

As a high ball was sent into the Blackburn area, a high arm from Gueye appeared to both make contact with the ball and catch Potts in the face.

Smith though did not point to the spot, and Hackett believes that meant he got both penalty decisions wrong.

Todd Cantwell’s penalty proved to be the winner for Blackburn against Preston (Credit Imago)

Giving his verdict on those two decisions to Football Insider, the former referee said:

“There is no doubt in my mind that Josh Smith is a very good referee and officiated this game with a great deal of skill.

“However there was two controversial penalty kick decisions in this game that he got both wrong.

“Blackburn in the 77th minute were awarded a penalty kick. Replays showed that the Preston player was backing into his opponent looking at the ball when heads clashed.

“It was an accident and the award of a penalty kick was wrong. In the sixth minute of added time Preston kicked a long floating ball into the Blackburn penalty area.

“The Blackburn player with a raised arm struck his opponent and then the ball came into contact with his raised arm.

“This was a stonewall penalty kick and Preston can feel aggrieved that two contentious decisions played a part in them losing the game.

“For referee Josh Smith to get a permanent role in the Premier League Referees he must be more accurate and consistent with these big game-changing decisions.”

Following that win, Blackburn climbed back into the Championship play-off places as head coach John Eustace continues to enhance his stock.

Preston meanwhile remain firmly in mid-table in the standings, having missed out on the chance to go just two points behind their opponents due to that defeat.

In other news, Sunderland have responded to a transfer offer from Brighton.

For more Blackburn and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

Click here to read article