‘No idea’: Nigel Pearson’s frank Blackburn verdict as Bristol City’s 441-day penalty wait goes on

Nigel Pearson admitted his confusion with the official’s explanation of why Bristol City weren’t awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw against 10-man Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Nahki Wells was brought down in the box by Scott Wharton with the Robins 1-0 down, and yet again to the 59-year-old’s dismay, a spot kick was not awarded.

Antoine Semenyo went on to equalise minutes later before Daniel Ayala saw red with 15 minutes to play, as youngster Sam Bell’s last-gasp goal was ruled out for offside.

Pearson felt aggrieved with both the penalty incident and offside call. “I’ve seen the linesman or rather the referee’s assistant is not in the position to make that call in terms of he is not level with the last person,” he said.

“I’m more disappointed with the penalty shout that again is not given when Nahki Wells is tackled from behind in the fashion that he is.

“The explanation is minimal football contact whatever that means, I don’t know what that means. Minimal football contact? What does that mean? No idea. Got no idea what they are talking about and so another week goes when we’ve had a shout that if it went against us, I wouldn’t really argue against it.”

City’s long wait for a penalty has been well documented, it is now 441 days since their last spot kick - and 728 days before that. The club’s formal complaint to the PGMOL regarding the unwanted record two weeks ago has seemingly not helped their case.

Pearson, despite his frustration at the decision, was proud of his side's display and insisted that they deserved all three points.

“We were the better side. Don’t you think that? We’ve been on top for almost the entirety of the game. I thought we played well today. I think we put them under pressure, they're a decent side, the league table tells you that.”

The positive performance was one of several over recent weeks, as the Robins extended their run to six games unbeaten on the day, despite playing 120 minutes in midweek.

“I think the players have shown throughout the whole of the game,” he added. We played at a good tempo and pushed them right the way through to the end.”