Walton apologises

Last updated : 27 February 2009 By Bladesmadeditor
Kevin Blackwell
Image copyright to SportBox.TV
P Walton and D S Bryan both had horrendous games in the FA Cup Fifth Round Replay. Both officials made key mistakes throughout the game. Penalty appeals turned down, the ball not crossing the line and replays show that all of these incidents should have been noticed.

Blackwell who was speaking in his pre-match press conference for Sunday's match with Birmingham said: "The officials have to live with their mistakes but to be fair to Peter he rang and admitted he made major errors and that's big of him. It is something that a referee hasn't had to do but he has.

"I'm not talking about this with hindsight, check my quotes over the years and I've always said goaline technology can be beneficial.

"A decision can be made instantly; during the game on Thursday they were showing the incident again on the big screen before the game had even re-started.

"I'm not a fan of technology in general movement of the game - that will slow it down - but for such things as goals it has got to be an option. The decision could have been on the last game of the season and been the difference between being relegated or staying up - and that could have cost clubs millions.

"The poor decision making has cost us hundreds and thousands of pounds.