Birmingham City were left dumbfounded over a highly contentious refereeing call in their FA Cup win over Sutton United.
The Blues made the 131-mile journey to the National League outfit as the two sides faced off in the first round of the FA Cup.
Given their status as a League One team, it was no surprise Birmingham started the better of the two.
However, the visitors could and perhaps should have had a chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute.
Blues right-back Ethan Laird did well to win the ball high on the right flank and drove towards the penalty box.
Just as Laird chopped the ball to his right, he was sent tumbling to the ground by Sutton’s Charlie Waller.
It appeared a clear foul and took place just inside the box.
However, the referee did not point to the spot and instead blew for a free-kick.
Birmingham striker Jay Stansfield was one of several players left bemused at the referee’s call.
So too was the League One side on social media.
Broadcaster ITV Sport uploaded a clip of the controversy with the caption: “‘Baffled!’ Should Birmingham City feel aggrieved at this?”
Birmingham City replied: “Yes.”
Despite being fouled inside the box, the referee awarded a free kick instead of a penalty[/caption]
Luckily for Chris Davies’ side the refereeing controversy did not decide the contest.
Towering midfielder Willum Thor Willumsson scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute when he got on the end of Paik Seung-Ho’s cross.
It was the Icelandic star’s fifth goal of the season in all competitions.
Despite boasting 76 per cent possession and having 13 shots, Birmingham were unable to find a second against Sutton and made for a nervy finish at the VBS Community Stadium although they ultimately held on.
“We’ve had a similar to the Mansfield game I suppose, we wanted that second goal to open up a bit of a margin,” Davies said, per the Birmingham Mail.
“I think I would give the players credit for the performance because it’d be arrogant to think you could just come and it’s going to be easy.
“I think we controlled the game, we looked in control defensively as well but that little bit of movement, quality, invention, combination in the final third was a little bit missing today – but they had a lot of bodies back there and made it difficult for us.
“I think you could tell the players wanted a little bit more. They’d have liked to have been two or three up because their play and the control we had deserved that. But it’s something for us to to reflect on. How can we create more clear chances in situations like that?
“Even at 1-0 you’re anticipating the opposition coming out to open the game up, and at no point throughout the 94 minutes was there an open game, it was it was completely closed game.
“They were playing the same way, even at one-nil down, which is which is absolutely fine and their prerogative. But it makes it more congested, so you have to find better solutions.”
Birmingham will find out their opponents in the second round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening, with the draw due to take place at 7:45pm.
