Derek McInnes bemoans defensive and officiating errors in Kilmarnock defeat to Hearts
Derek McInnes reckons a combination of diabolical defending and poor officiating cost Kilmarnock points in the capital after falling to a 3-2 defeat at Hearts.
The result sends the Rugby Park men into the relegation play-off spot, although they remian just five points off the top six in what is a highly congested table.
And while the visitors only had themselves to blame, the gaffer hit out at the decision to allow Elton Kabangu’s seventh minute opener to stand.
The striker was in an offside position when Craig Gordon punted the ball forward before he eventually ended up tapping the ball home when both Jorge Grant and James Wilson fluffed chances.
An irate McInnes said: “Three mistakes in the game, the second and third we should be doing better. The first goal was a mistake from the VAR.
“How they don’t give offside is unbelievable. I’m not criticising John (Beaton) or the linesman. The ball is in open play, Kabangu is a yard offside then impedes Wright.
“How that can’t be taken back by VAR. How that isn’t a foul and offside. That’s what VAR is there for and what we pay the money for. It’s ridiculous how that goal stood.
“I spoke with the fourth official and linesman who said he wasn't sure but that’s what VAR is there for. On the monitor I felt comfortable it would be overutneed and I was surprised when it wasn’t.
READ MORE: Woeful defending sends Kilmarnock to Hearts defeat and relegation play-off spot
“It’s not good enough. I’m all for transparency but we’re still having problems with it.”
After a disappointing first half, the away side dragged themselves back level five minutes after the restart when Bobby Wales tucked Marley Watkins’ cross in at the near post.
But a little over 10 minutes later, Killie were two down - with both goals coming from shoddy defensive errors.
Jamie McCart was left unmarked to head home before Kieran O’Hara failed to make a comfortable catch which allowed Grant to turn home Hearts’ third.
A Fraser Murray back post header reduced the deficit while both teams passed up some great chances to further the scoring.
Craig Gordon produced a terrific save to deny David Watson late on, while at the other end Musa Drammeh clipped the woodwork.
McInnes said: “First half we needed to play, the front two needed to run about more. It was two teams playing the same system. Watkins makes an average ball from Mayo into a good ball and Bobby scores.
“At 1-1 it was game on. We’ve got the game where you want them but Hearts have a lot of quality. We needed to play better and I thought we played the majority of the second half in their half.
“But we give away a corner needlessly and we don’t pick up then the third goal was a mistake where the goalie has to do better.
“The game gets taken away from us. We nearly did it. The second goal was a great goal and we huffed and puffed but we shouldn’t have to score three to get something.”
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