Cerny needed protection - Reid

23rd November 2008

Hamilton manager Billy Reid felt goalkeeper Tomas Cerny should have been afforded more protection from referee Crawford Allan in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

Reid, who said Allan`s performance at times had been "all over the place", also lamented a second-half chance spurned by goalscorer Richard Offiong which could have sealed a first win in 10 matches for his side.

He said: "The ball was going into the box and there were that many bombardments and the goalkeeper ended up on his backside so many times that I don't know what happened at the goal, the ball just went into the net. I thought in the first half we were brilliant and controlled the match. We were the better passing team by far and scored the best goal of the game.

"They pinned us back for long, long spells in the second half but it was all aerial balls into the box and we opened them up again and Richard should have scored. But I'm not going to have a go at him because I think he has been great again.

"Then Simon (Mensing) got sent off, for whatever, I don't know. The boy Conway was over the top of young James McArthur and Simon got involved and the referee just flashed the card at him. At times the referee was all over the place.

"I don't know if our goalie was fouled at the goal but before that he went up and punched the ball and he ended up in the net when big (Lee) Wilkie smashed him. How the referee didn't see that is incredible. After the goal as well, somebody had a wee dig at him and how the referee and his assistant didn't see it I don't know. But I think the boys were great, we're now adjusting to the SPL and unfortunately we didn't win the game."