Falkirk interim manager Gary Holt says ‘rules are rules’ after Sean Kelly’s free-kick was ruled out during the 2-1 League One defeat to Montrose.
Trailing in the game, Kelly’s strike in the final minutes looked to have confirmed Falkirk’s promotion play-off spot via a 2-2 draw, but it was ruled out. Now they need a positive result away to Airdrieonians on Tuesday to secure their spot in the Championship play-offs, a defeat coupled with a Montrose win over Partick Thistle enough to edge them out.
Holt’s Falkirk side were beaten. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Holt said: “I’m led to believe that Aidan Keena encroached on the wall, within that distance it’s not allowed. Rules are rules, I’m not going to argue with the referee, he made his mind up and the game goes on. It’s one of those things, yes it’s disappointing but the game should have been done and dusted by then.
“They never caused us too many problems but we gifted them two soft goals which will hurt any team when you’re not taking the chances at the other end. I’m not annoyed, it’s part of the game the things the referee says, should we have had two penalties in the first half? Yes, but the referee has a hard enough job without me having a go at him.”
On the game at the Penny Cars Stadium, Holt added: “It’s another tough game for us. We’ll patch them up and see what we can get out of them on Sunday and Monday because it’s another game in our hands and hopefully we can get the rub of the green.
“I don’t want to be in League 1, the clubs don’t, the fans don’t and the players don’t but you have to win games of football to get out of it. At the moment, with the squad we have and the injuries we have it’s harsh, we have a lot of young boys getting experience they probably didn’t think they would get so early and we just have to dust ourselves down.”
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