Birmingham City 1 Plymouth Argyle 1 : Colin Tattum's Big Match Verdict
Taylor raced out to confront Mackie and went in for a tackle, careful not to use his hands, and got his thigh on the ball, knocking it back into Mackie, who then went sprawling.
It was not reckless, Taylor didnt clean the striker out. And it happened just beyond the 18-yard line.
The linesman didnt move, but Oliver was in no doubt and St Andrews froze in incredulity before erupting in anger, that barely subsided thereafter.
After Gallaghers penalty, Blues soon lost Ridgewell when he was caught by Mackies block tackle as he cleared the ball downfield. The way his left leg jarred on the ground at impact, and then collapsed under him as he tried to hop to his feet, was sickening.
It wasnt malicious by Mackie, moreover enthusiastic, but nonetheless warranted a yellow card. Nothing was forthcoming.
After several minutes care, Ridgewell was stretchered off to hospital and Queudrue replaced him at centre-half.
Blues slowly recovered from the shock and with Alex McLeish deciding to keep two strikers in a 4-3-2, it meant an onerous task for all.
But it was a task that Blues stuck at manfully.
Damien Johnson, Lee Bowyer and Sebastian Larsson were relentless, and the full-backs went into overdrive.
Plymouth argued the free-kick award that led to Blues 49th minute goal shouldnt have been given because of a dive, but Cameron Jerome was upended by David Gray, who was booked.
Romain Larrieu came, flapped and missed David Murphys deep cross (more complaints, this time of being blocked) et voil": Queudrue, sideways on, launched himself and connected with a header to put the ball into the unguarded goal.
It was if that relegation-threatened Plymouth were happy to take the point from then on, they didnt go for it or make the numerical advantage count. Blues, with James McFadden coming on to replace Jerome, who took a knock, continued to believe.
They hassled, probed and Plymouth werent always entirely comfortable against their defiance.
And they got into the right positions and dealt with danger when it arose, showing a spirit and desire that could not be questioned, encapsulated by the pugnacity of Stephen Carr.
Blues began the game strongly, but were susceptible to two or three long balls over the top, down the channels.
Ashley Barnes was rightly flagged offside twice after following-up shots in the sixth and 77th minutes but that didnt reflect they were in charge; not least against the 10 men.
Once Oliver made his erroneous decision, he set the game on an unexpected path that meant salvation was the prime requirement from Blues.
BLUES (4-4-2 then 4-3-2): Taylor 7. CARR 7. Murphy 7. Jaidi 7. Ridgewell 6 (Queudrue 34, 7). Larsson 7. Johnson 7. Bowyer 7. Fahey 6 (Doyle 26). Jerome 7 (McFadden 70), OConnor 6. Not used: Phillips, Bouazza.
PLYMOUTH (4-4-2): Larrieu, Gray, Seip, Barker, Sawyer, Judge, Duguid, Fletcher, Gallagher, Barnes, Mackie (Fallon 90+1). Not used: Saxton, Timar, Clark, Douala.
Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).
