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Bruce fumes at spot-kick snub
Aug 24 2002
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce knows he will be unable to appeal against another refereeing decision that cost his side a share of the spoils against Blackburn.
Last week the Blues had Aliou Cisse sent off for two bookable offences in their opening-day 2-0 defeat at Premiership champions Arsenal.
Bruce, though, asked referee Mike Riley to review the second of those cautions, one which was eventually overturned, ensuring Cisse avoided suspension.
On this occasion, with the Blues trailing 1-0 in their first St Andrews' game back in the top flight for 16 years, Rovers' substitute Henning Berg appeared to bundle over striker Stern John.
The incident came just two minutes after Berg's arrival, but referee Dermot Gallagher waived away appeals as he appeared well placed.
Television replays, however, suggested Birmingham were denied a definite spot-kick, much to the disgust of Bruce.
"I think we all know we deserved something out of this game, that's for sure," said Bruce.
"That's the disappointing thing for us because we gave everything in terms of effort and endeavour, but we just needed that little bit of luck you require at this level.
"We had a blatant penalty decision go against us as well, which I have seen on the TV. You need those kind of things to go for you.
"Unlike last week, there's nothing I can do about this - but then we didn't get anything in their penalty area."
Rovers' boss Graeme Souness felt Birmingham were unlucky not to come away with a point as he said: "I've spoken to a couple of my players who have said it should have been a penalty.
"But that's football. We got one penalty last year, and it seems some clubs get more penalties than others."
