Penalty denial gives St Ledger more frustration (From The Northern Echo)

Penalty denial gives St Ledger more frustration

9:52am Monday 30th November 2009 in

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SEAN ST LEDGER has endured a couple of frustrating weeks with referees. After having his World Cup dream shattered by the hand of Thierry Henry, the Middlesbrough defender was left bemused when he did not win a late penalty at London Road.

Five minutes after Shaun Batt had crushed the hearts of Boro fans with a stunning volley from 25 yards, which wiped out the Teessiders’ lead for a second time, St Ledger is adamant he should have been awarded a penalty five minutes later.

When the Republic of Ireland international knocked the ball away from Aaron McLean, the Peterborough striker’s late lunge appeared to wipe out St Ledger in the penalty area. With referee David Phillips well placed, the centre-back was amazed by the official’s decision to wave play on.

“He got me on the shin. I believe it was a penalty,” said St Ledger. “The ball went my way, not his. If he’s right I will hold my hands up.

“There was definitely contact, 100 per cent. Again it’s gone against us. We have had a few decisions go against us this season.”

St Ledger has outlined a desire to play at the highest level he can and he is intent on making sure Middlesbrough play in the Premier League next season, despite another annoying result.

Having failed to beat bottom club Posh, Middlesbrough now face testing matches against teams with hopes of playing in the topflight next season.

But St Ledger does not feel the outcomes in pre-Christmas dates with QPR, Blackpool, Cardiff and Newcastle will determine what division Boro will be playing in.

“We need to go on a run and stop Newcastle and West Brom getting away.

“In this league everyone beats everyone else so I wouldn’t say this period is vital.

“If Newcastle and West Brom go on to run away with it, I’m not sure the rest of the division will be like that. I’m sure it will be pretty tight.

Everyone looks at the next block, but if we lose every game up to Christmas then win every game afterwards we will go up.”

■ It was claimed yesterday that former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will serve court papers on the club this week after failing to get his compensation money after being dismissed.

Southgate claims he was entitled to his full contract being paid out within 28 days of leaving, but Boro are believed to want to stagger the payments over two years, claiming he was ‘relieved of his duties’ rather than sacked.