Elliott Dickman has questioned two refereeing decisions as Newcastle United U21s were denied a Tyne-Wear derby victory at St James' Park. The young Magpies were reduced to ten men after Jay Turner-Cooke's dismissal, and had to settle for a 1-1 draw as Sunderland goalkeeper Alex Bass scored a controversial injury-time equaliser.
Joe White had fired the hosts in front on Monday night, with a clever corner routine allowing the playmaker to drill the ball home. Dickman's side looked comfortable for much of the contest, but the match turned on an ugly clash which led to Turner-Cooke being shown a second yellow card in the 78th minute.
The former Sunderland prospect tripped Bass after being incensed by a challenge from the goalkeeper on White. The Black Cats pressed for an equaliser with this numerical advantage, and found one in the 95th minute as Bass deflected the ball into the net via his arm.
READ MORE: 'Hand of Cod' - Alex Bass makes Sunderland handball admission after under-21s equaliser vs Newcastle
Reflecting on the injury-time goal, Dickman told ChronicleLive: "I've had a look back myself and I'm wearing a Newcastle tracksuit so from my point of view, it is a handball. It's a free header, he hits the post, it comes back and he sort of bundles it over the line with the use of his arm.
"For me, that is deliberate handball. Maybe it happened too quick for the referee to see, I can see why he's maybe not given it. But looking back at the footage, no matter if it's slowed down or in real-time, I'm not too sure they score if he doesn't bundle it across with his hand."
Dickman insists he did not see the confrontation which resulted in Turner-Cooke being shown a red card. However, the former Sunderland U21s boss insists the Magpies should have been awarded a foul for a 'kick' on White seconds before.
Dickman added: "I honestly didn't see what happened with Jay. What I did see was the goalkeeper took the ball, Joe White goes to challenge and I don't think he touches the goalkeeper.
"All of a sudden, there's a little kick out on to Joe and for me, that's a foul to us. After that, I'm not sure what happened. I think there was a coming together with the players."
It was a desperately disappointing end to the evening for Newcastle, but it is a point which has extended the academy side's unbeaten run in the league to six matches. The young Magpies face league leaders Leeds United next Monday in their final Premier League 2 fixture before the World Cup, and Dickman is confident there are positives to build upon.
He added: "I thought first-half we were good, I thought we looked very dangerous on the break. I think some of the things we worked on exposed their weaknesses.
"I just think a little more care in the final third would have helped us, with decision making on when to shoot or when to pass. I think we've maybe got that wrong at times tonight, and we maybe need to polish up on that.
"I thought we had good opportunities first-half, and a few half-chances in the second. The sending off disrupts us a little bit and makes it really difficult, but because we had the lead it was about seeing the game out.
"It's never nice to concede late. We haven't lost the game, we've still drawn but because it's so late you feel we can see the game out but unfortunately on this occasion we haven't. It's a learning curve for the players, it's a learning curve for us all.
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