Tony Docherty branded VAR a waste of time after Dundee were forced to wait SIX minutes to find out the video chiefs couldn’t find an answer.
The Dens men were sunk by Saints in stoppage time as new McDiarmid boss Simo Valakari got off to a flier in his first official match in the dugout. Graham Carey cancelled out Simon Murray’s opener before mayhem in the final minute when Nicky Clark smuggled in after a goal line scramble in the final minute. VAR chiefs flagged up a possible offside – but the techies couldn’t draw the lines due to the number of bodies on the scene.
There was also a potential handball call on the way and ref Kevin Clancy eventually stuck to his guns. Dee boss Docherty was left fuming though and said: “I still don’t really understand it to be honest. I have been in to see the referee and I am not sure. They couldn’t determine whether he was on or offside so we stuck with the onfield decision which the referee made and the goal stood, which I don’t understand – why have we got VAR then?
“I don’t understand. If there is a penalty kick you then have an opportunity to go and save that. So I don’t understand and even going to speak to the referee and the delegate I am still no further forward. Listen, we need to take ownership of our stuff in the game but again I have always asked for clarity and consistency and communication but that today – and to take for as long as it did in the stadium – I don’t see the point.
“I don’t think VAR is improving things. They couldn’t tell whether it was on or offside when they drew the lines so for me, where is the benefit from VAR? It is a huge decision in the 89th minute of a derby.”
Opposite number Valakari was happier with the big call though as he bagged a dramatic win in his first taste on the touchline.
He said: “I have to say that the referee handled a difficult situation very well.
“He explained to both managers why it took so long. He was open about why it took so long.”
There was huge drama at the end but it wasn’t exactly a rip roaring start until Dundee took the lead from out thin air after 12 minutes.
Saints defending wasn’t up to much as Jack Sanders allowed a punt up the park from Trevor Carson to bounce, leading to all kinds of chaos.
The centre back was turned and Ross Sinclair was off his line, with Murray pouncing to scoop the ball high over the keeper and then meet it on the other side to bundle over the line.
Sinclair stuck out a toe to prevent a quick fire second Ziyad Larkeche’s low drive.
Saints searched for a way back – and some Carson heroics halted their path. The keeper hurled himself at the feet of Adama Sidibeh after the striker had pinched possession then raced through on goal.
Early in the second half the shot stopper brilliant pawed away Benji Kimpioka’s back post downward header before Matt Smith nodded wide the rebound.
But the Dens shot stopper was swiping at fresh air when sub Carey lashed in a low, bouncing curler from well out wide to level after 64 minutes.
Dundee tried to rally and Murray and Lyle Cameron were not far off but couldn’t quite get clear sights of goal.
Saints threatened too and Lewis Neilson found space to meet a free header – but he nodded straight at Carson.
The defender was involved again in the last minute – along with Carey’s left peg – as Neilson met the corner kick and Clark bundled in after some pin balling on the goal line.
Clancy took an age to study the VAR, but the news was worth the wait for Saints but a huge blow for Dundee.
Docherty said: “”They had a lot of the ball but they never hurt us and we went ahead.
“I wanted more control but it was heading for a 1-1 and then we could have picked the bones out of it.
“To then lose it from a set-play at the end, amid all that confusion, is bitterly disappointing.”