Hull manager Phil Brown backed referee Kevin Friend after his side beat Watford 2-0 in the Championship play-offs.
Tigers boss backs referee after first-leg triumph
Hull manager Phil Brown insisted that referee Kevin Friend "had a great game" after his side took a controversial step towards the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Watford in the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.
Hometown veterans Nick Barmby and Dean Windass scored in the first half to put the Tigers on track for a place at Wembley but Friend was involved in two incidents which incensed the home crowd.
He disallowed a fourth-minute goal by Danny Shittu for an alleged challenge on goalkeeper Boaz Myhill before sending off Hornets captain John Eustace on the hour mark.
Eustace was involved in an altercation with Hull skipper Ian Ashbee and Brown insisted that there was a butt from the Watford player.
Brown said: "The referee had a great game. I can say that after the two major decisions.
Disappointing
"For the goal it looked to me that he was climbing all over one of our defenders and the whistle went before he even headed the ball.
"The fourth official saw a headbutt for the sending off so that is clear cut. I was hoping that the fourth official would play a part and he did.
"The most disappointing thing was not to get the third and kill it off. To be disappointed with a 2-0 is staggering but we could have won by three or four."
Brown admitted that the Hornets had caused problems for his side and hailed the performance of Myhill after the new Wales international produced an amazing save in the second half to deny Mat Sadler.
He said: "It's still all to play for in my opinion. I've unfortunately been involved in losing from 2-0 up and 3-0 up in the play-offs as a player so I'll take nothing for granted.
"The defence was magnificent. I know Dean Windass and Nicky Barmby will get all the headlines but the goalkeeper was outstanding and he thoroughly deserves his recent international status.
"I knew before the game that Nicky and Dean would have to come off at some stage in this searing heat and for both of them to score was superb for me.
"They are playing as Hull boys for Hull City and they will make sure that there is no complacency in the dressing room.
"We've got another 90 minutes to play for and it's going to be a hell of a game."
Crucial
Watford boss
Adrian Boothroyd confirmed that he will appeal the decision to dismiss Eustace and insisted that the tie is alive.
Defeat extended Watford's dire run of form to one win in 15 but Boothroyd insisted that the referee's performance was crucial.
He said: "At 2-0 with the home leg to come I would imagine it is fair to say that is advantage Hull.
"We played very well, as well as we have for a long time, but defensive lapses and decisions have cost us.
"The goal was a goal. The only person pushing was the Hull goalkeeper so I cannot understand why he disallowed it.
"With the sending off we have a situation where the Hull players are more experienced than the referee and they've talked him into a red card.
"The ball's on the floor, there are bodies around and he's gone for the ball. Are we not allowed to tackle any more?
"I will appeal the red card and we'll have to see what happens before Wednesday."
