Livingston’s second goal against Hibs on Saturday shouldn’t have counted according to a former Premier League referee.
Jack Ross’ side suffered a third successive Scottish Premiership defeat after going down 3-0 to The Lions at Easter Road.
Josh Mullin and Jon Guthrie Livingston them 2-0 up at half-time before former Hearts man Scott Robinson made it 3-0 early in the second half.
But it turns out Guthrie’s strike should have been ruled out for offside, although in the officials’ defence it would have been a hell of a spot.
Dermot Gallagher reviewed the decision on Sky Sports and spotted the offside at the corner the preceded Guthrie’s effort.
Dillon Barnes didn’t cover himself in glory in his attempts to deal with the cross, but Gallagher highlighted why it technically should have been ruled out, even if it would have taken an eagle eyed assistant to spot the infringement.
“It’s really unfortunate the assistant is on the far side, because the player taking the corner is actually offside – people say how? Well when he plays the ball to the number 10 [Craig Sibbald] the minute [Sibbald] touches the ball, [Mullin] is on the goal-line and there isn’t two defenders between him and the goal
“So when [Josh Mullin] goes to cross that ball, he should be offside, but because the assistant is the complete width of the field away, he is not aware of that situation and it just doesn’t get picked up but the goal should have been disallowed for offside.
“It’s easier for the assistant when it’s on his side but I think it’s just lost in the wash because it’s a corner and people think you can’t be offside at a corner. But once the number 10 touches the ball – it’s no longer a corner.”
