The Premiership action across the weekend, as always, produced a number of talking points involving refereeing and VAR decisions.
The most prominent two came in the games between Kilmarnock and Dundee United and the match involving St Mirren and St Johnstone.
Killie edged past United at Rugby Park with a crucial 1-0 victory that moved them seven points clear of bottom side St Johnstone.
The Perth Saints were in action earlier on Saturday against the Buddies and secured an excellent 2-0 win in Paisley – their second three points in a row.
Ref Watch panellist and former Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher pored over the two incidents and gave his opinion alongside Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith live on Sky Sports News.
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Kilmarnock goal vs Dundee United
Kilmarnock’s solitary goal against Dundee United on Saturday garnered plenty of attention.
Killie striker Marley Watkins and United stopper Jack Walton both competed in the air for the ball as it dropped high from the sky.
Watkins won the battle and managed to get his head – or back – on the ball and direct it into the net for a goal.
On-field referee David Dickinson awarded the goal but it went to VAR for a check. However, the VAR team were happy too and play restarted with Killie in front.
United boss Jim Goodwin felt aggrieved by the decision to award the goal and it felt it should have been disallowed for a Watkins foul on Walton.
The Ref Watch team had a look and discussed the incident, with Gallagher thinking it was a foul but Warnock and Smith totally disagreeing.
Gallagher: “Do you think this is a foul? So do I. If you watch, he leads with his arm.”
Warnock: “What’s the foul?”
Smith: “This is a good header.”
Warnock: “It’s a great header.”
Gallagher: “Do you not think he catches the goalkeeper?”
Smith: “No, that’s just as he’s jumping.”
Warnock: “You just have to go up with your arm, haven’t you? You can’t just not go up with your arm. I don’t jump up with my arms by my side like a pencil. I’ve got to use my momentum to get up.
“Don’t forget the goalkeeper can take his arms up and go from six foot to eight foot (tall) and go above him. And the best goalkeepers will always tell you, lead with the knee and protect yourself.
“Lead with the knee, go high up and go through the player. That’s not a foul at all. Goalkeepers get (too) protected.”
St Mirren penalty call vs St Johnstone
St Mirren were left aggrieved after they felt Elvis Bwomono was tripped by St Johnstone’s Drey Wright in the penalty area.
Wright clipped Bwomono’s ankle and big shouts for a penalty followed. On-field referee Dan McFarlane had a good view of the situation but decided to give a goal-kick.
This on-field decision was backed up by VAR Alan Muir and play went on. The Ref Watch team analysed the clips and they all agreed the Buddies were denied a clear spot-kick.
Gallagher: “I think it’s a foul as well. I think the forward’s really clever. He moves the ball on and the defender tries to play the ball but he can’t play the ball because it’s been moved on. Penalty for me.”
Smith: “Yeah it’s a definite penalty. I’m sure on this one, it’s a definite penalty.”
Warnock: “Penalty.”