Bo'ness manager McGonigal: Ref blunders cost us game

Will Snowdon was sent off for dissent after conceding a penalty

McGonigal highlighted the incidents which he believes were key factors in his side’s 3-1 defeat at Central Park. He said: “I’m disappointed because the referee, who is normally one of the good ones, made, I think, three wrong decisions that probably cost us the game.

“For their first goal, he gave them a throw-in with our players out of position. Then when punches were thrown, one of our players was bitten and all he did was book two players from each side when one of the Kelty players should have been red-carded. Then, late on, when I thought Will Snowdon was being fouled in our box, the referee awarded them a penalty and sent Will off for protesting. Other than that, I feel we had the better of the chances but couldn’t convert any.”

Bo’ness, who started the day top of the league, took the lead after only five minutes when Ross Philp slotted the ball high past keeper Kyle Allison.

Just before the half-hour mark, Kelty equalised with that disputed goal. From the throw-in, the ball was switched to the left wing for Conrad Courts to slam the ball into the net.

Then all hell broke loose in the Bo’ness box. Punches were thrown and the referee booked two from each side with Bo’ness assistant coach Steve Pittman sent off for protesting after Ross Campbell was allegedly bitten.

Kelty took the lead with a simple header from Scott Dalziel from a Courts corner five minutes before the break.

Bo’ness had all the pressure in the second half but failed to find the net.

With five minutes remaining, Kelty were given that controversial penalty as Snowdon appeared to have been fouled but the referee gave it Kelty’s way with the Bo’ness player sent off for protesting. Paul Currie converted easily from the spot.

Kelty Hearts: Allison, Jacobs, Gates, Carstairs, T Courts, C Courts, Husband, Greig, Dalziel, Smith, Currie. Subs: Morrison, Bango, Cargill, Campbell, Ritchie.

Bo’ness United: Christie, Snowdon, Devine, Campbell, Morrison, Nimmo, Walker, Philp, Sloan, Donnelly, Gemmell. Subs: Eddington, Hunter, McTeer, Simpson, Wright.