Livingston goal against Hibs shouldn't have stood says ex-Premier League referee

Jon Guthrie’s goal for Livingston at Easter Road on Saturday should have been ruled out for offside, according to ex-English Premier League official Dermot Gallagher.
Guthrie scores to make it 2-0 but the goal shouldn't have stood says expert Gallagher (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)Guthrie scores to make it 2-0 but the goal shouldn't have stood says expert Gallagher (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Guthrie scores to make it 2-0 but the goal shouldn't have stood says expert Gallagher (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The hulking Lions centre-back lashed in the West Lothian side’s second of a 3-0 win against Hibs, but the set-up play before the goalmouth scramble was offside, the expert has ruled after reviewing footage.

Josh Mullin’s set-piece routine with Craig Sibbald in front of the main stand led to goalkeeper Dillon Barnes punching the cross into the air before Guthrie converted in the 16th minute but Gallagher believes the officials’ placement on the east side of the pitch conspired against the home side.

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He said: “It’s really unfortunate the assistant is on the far side, because the player taking the corner is actually offside – people say how? Well when he plays the ball to the number 10 [Craig Sibbald] the minute [Sibbald] touches the ball, [Mullin] is on the goal-line and there isn’t two defenders between him and the goal.

“So when [Josh Mullin] goes to cross that ball, he should be offside, but because the assistant is the complete width of the field away, he is not aware of that situation and it just doesn’t get picked up but the goal should have been disallowed for offside.

Speaking on Sky Sports the ex-EPL ref added: “It’s easier for the assistant when it’s on his side but I think it’s just lost in the wash because it’s a corner and people think you can’t be offside at a corner. But once the number 10 touches the ball – it’s no longer a corner.”

There were few complaints about the goal at the time, which came either side of strikes for Mullin and Scott Robinson in a heavy home defeat for Jack Ross’ side.

Ross said the defeat was “a bad afternoon in terms of the result but the performance was probably the worst of the season.”

Jon Guthrie celebrates his goal to make it 2-0 Livingston (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)Jon Guthrie celebrates his goal to make it 2-0 Livingston (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Jon Guthrie celebrates his goal to make it 2-0 Livingston (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The news on the goal call will be scant consolation to Hibs fans who have seen the side slip in form, losing three in a row against Rangers, Ross County and the first match of 2021 to David Martindale’s side in what some described as an ‘utter disgrace’ on Saturday.

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