AFTER a week in which Aberdeen claimed VAR was necessary to regain trust in Scottish officiating, manager Derek McInnes declared that “by and large, the referee got most things right today”.
Not that the Aberdeen fans saw it that way. Chanting choice songs about the SFA from the start of their trip to St Johnstone, Willie Collum’s performance brought howls of derision, particularly in relation to three penalty calls.
McInnes said he would need to see again collisions involving Scott McKenna and Stevie May in a crowded penalty box, but was more forthcoming on Gary Mackay-Steven’s last-gasp claim for a spot-kick following a David Wotherspoon challenge.
While you didn’t need VAR to see Wotherspoon had won the ball, McInnes insisted: “Gary is adamant that while the St Johnstone player has got a touch, he has actually come through him to get to the ball. My first thought was that it was a penalty.”
The Aberdeen fans at least had the consolation of going home with a point.
St Johnstone took the lead early on when Liam Craig curled an in-swinging corner with his left foot that the inrushing David McMillan met with his forehead to thud behind Joe Lewis.
Aberdeen had only one shot on target in the first half, a Stevie May effort comfortably claimed by Clark, but St Johnstone had their goalkeeper to thank in the second half, firstly palming away a Niall McGinn curler.
In the 55th minute, St Johnstone’s half-time substitute Ross Callachan appeared to have won a penalty when he hit the deck hurdling Lewis’ challenge running on to McMillan’s through ball.
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright, however, admitted: “It’s the correct decision because he’s jumped over him. His honesty means it’s not a penalty because if he’d left his foot in it would have been a stonewaller.”
Clark then produced two fine saves in the space of a minute; repelling Mackay-Steven’s drive and somehow pushing away Sam Cosgrove’s header.
He could do nothing to keep out McGinn’s beautifully-flighted free-kick that found the top corner in the 69th minute to draw Aberdeen level. At the angle of the box, McGinn struck with his right foot where it appeared Mackay-Steven would go with the left. It left Clark clutching at thin air.
“It’s a fantastic goal – and just when we needed it,” said McInnes.
Blair Alston brought a sprawling save from Lewis but the final talking point was Collum’s call on Mackay-Steven. Despite Aberdeen protests, it was probably one he got right.
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