Charlton boss Michael Appleton brands referee’s decision to award Barnsley goal ‘inexcusable’

Charlton boss Michael Appleton says the decision to allow Barnsley’s opener to stand during Saturday’s 1-1 draw was inexcusable.

George Dobson had attempted to see a ball out under pressure from Herbie Kane midway through the first-half. The Addicks skipper felt the ball had crossed the line and stopped in his tracks as Kane retrieved it and burst into the area – squaring for Adam Phillips to finish.

Appleton was booked for his remonstrations following the decision.

“I’ve had a few discussions with the referee, but I haven’t had much out of him,” said the Charlton head coach.

“His call was that the linesman has to make that call even though he’s three times further away from him. But it’s not a call to make. It’s not close. It’ll be one of them where they’ll show it over and again. If it were in the Premier League, it would cause absolute carnage. Disappointing but the main thing is the way the players responded to it, which was top draw.

“It’s easy saying [play to the whistle] but the point I was going to make is sometimes you can say they’ve made an honest mistake. I say see it out. He’s seen it out. The ball is miles over the line. It’s a yard over the line.

“I can understand people saying [play to the whistle] because he’s an experienced player but the reality is, it’s a foot over or if it’s a half a foot. I felt at the time, what is going on? I watched it back and it is so far over the line. It’s inexcusable.

“Probably should have had a penalty as well in the first-half for a clear handball. A lot of things went against us. We were asked a few questions and came up with good answers today. Even in the second half we were right on the front foot right from the kick off. Really pleasing.”

Corey Blackett-Taylor secured a point for South Londoners 20 minutes on time, latching onto Tayo Edun’s ball forward to bag his eighth goal of the campaign.

The Addicks, now six unbeaten in League One, had started brightly before falling behind and were always in the game at Oakwell.

Appleton added: “It should have been a win, shouldn’t it. We felt like we were up against everything today. To put on a performance they way we did and control the majority of the game the way we did was really pleasing. I just hope and believe that eventually all those types of decisions that we’ve seen today will go the other way.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS