adminMiddlesbrough’s interim head coach Adi Viveash hit out at refereeing decisions following his side’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United.
Luke Harris gave Oxford the lead at the Kassam Stadium before Morgan Whittaker levelled proceedings in the second half.
Referee Ben Toner dismissed appeals for a penalty when Middlesbrough’s Alan Browne went to ground, angering supporters.
The official also faced stern words when he booked Oxford’s Harris for a foul on Tommy Conway that some would have deemed red card-worthy.
Adi Viveash ‘aggrieved’
Viveash said: “We feel aggrieved that we’re on the wrong end again of three or four key decisions in the game – certainly the first one in the game – how that’s not been given, I don’t know. When I watched it back, it looks even more stonewall.
“And although there’s no malice in the boy Luke Harris when he’s challenging Tommy Conway, he doesn’t get the ball and he’s quite high and for me that is a red.
“I don’t like to see players getting sent off but this was a key moment in the game and was not to do with the pitch being greasy. At that moment we were really aggressive with the ball.”
Verdict on attack
Middlesbrough did not quite do enough at the top end of the pitch but Viveash reserved praise for Whittaker, who has found form at the Riverside.
Viveash said: “We got into lots of wide areas but our quality wasn’t quite good enough in the final third.
“Their goal was a bit of a sucker punch, which we’ve obviously made the players aware of – it’s a good goal from their point of view, a very clean finish from the edge of the box.
“We had 19 shots and only three on target which is not the ratio you need if you’re going to win games at this level.
“But I was pleased with our equalising goal, we had good numbers in the box showing plenty of desire to get in there and I was pleased with that.
“For Morgan Whittaker, that’s three goals now in five games. As wide forwards, you’re going to be judged on your assists and goals and it was a great move and good finish.”
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