what the managers said

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was pleased with his side’s first half performance but was left puzzled by some of the decisions that contributed to the defeat.

Key in his mind was a penalty they were denied shortly before the one they did get, which McInnes is sure should have reduced the visitors to 10 men.

He said: “I think there should have been a penalty and a red card for Dylan McGowan for handball on the line. The ball’s travelled at a fair speed but it’s travelled 5 or 6 yards and it’s a clear handball. Between the officials, they should see that. It’s too big a decision to miss. That was pivotal in the outcome of the game.

“The missed penalty was a chance to get the second goal which was the least we merited. It was a total domination in the first half.”

Of the two bookings that led to Robson’s red card, the Dons boss added: “I accept he’s ahead of the wall so you could say encroachment is a yellow card by the letter of the law. The second booking, I think he’s actually tried to get away from the challenge.

“We’ve lost him for two minor offences and it’s changed the flow of the game.

McInnes was pleased, though, with his side’s overall performances, adding: “The first half was as comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable a 45 minutes as I’ve watched my team play. We were excellent, and even in the second half we created a number of chances.

“In defeat you look at everything, and there’s plenty we can learn from – we need to show more conviction.”

Hearts boss Gary Locke was full of praise for his young side after they came from behind to beat 10-man Aberdeen 3-1 at Pittodrie but acknowledged that they had goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald to thank for keeping them in the game.

Niall McGinn had put the Dons in front with a crisp volley after 25 minutes, but was denied from the penalty spot by MacDonald after Jordan McGhee’s hand-ball.

Barry Robson’s red card early in the second half set the scene for a fine comeback, with Jamie Walker levelling matters, before turning provider for Calum Paterson. Ryan Stevenson sealed matters in the final minute.

“We’ve got our goalkeeper to thank for keeping us in the game,” said Locke.

“In the first half, Aberdeen came out of the traps and were playing with a lot of confidence because they’ve been on a great run.”

He added: “You could say the red card changed the game. It’s always difficult against 10 men.

“Sometimes it can work against you, but I think we made the right changes at the right times, and for our second half-performance we deserved the win.

“The team spirit has been fantastic this year, and last week was the first time we’d been disappointed in how we’d performed.

“The boys have come back in the right manner this week, and the effort the players gave was fantastic and I’m delighted to get the result our efforts deserved.

“It’s a young team, but if they put the work-rate in as they did today, they’ll give themselves a chance.”

“It’s a young team, but if they put the work-rate in as they did today, they’ll give themselves a chance.”

“It’s a young team, but if they put the work-rate in as they did today, they’ll give themselves a chance.”