Alex McLeish insists Scott Dann 'clip' was a penalty for Birmingham City

Nov 30 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail

BLUES boss Alex McLeish felt his side should have been awarded a first-half penalty at Molineux.

In the 35th minute, following a melee in the Wolves box, Blues centre-half Scott Dann fell to the floor under the challenge of Matt Jarvis.

The incident went ignored by the match officials but replays clearly showed that the Wolves winger had clipped Dann’s ankle without touching the ball.

Had Blues not managed to hold on to their slender lead and see out the impressive victory, then more may have been made of the incident.

However, during his post-match press conference, McLeish made it clear that he felt Mark Clattenburg’s assistant on the far side should have flagged for a penalty.

“I do,” answered McLeish, when asked if he felt his side deserved a penalty.

“People like Scott Dann don’t dive, not a big centre-half.

“It was definitely a penalty. I’ve seen it and he clipped him, I saw it on the monitor so it’s one that got away for the referee.

“I don’t know if the linesman should have helped him, but maybe he was waiting for the referee. At times they’re unsighted and that’s what the linesman is for, it was on his side.”

Dann produced another sterling defensive display alongside Roger Johnson as both continue to prove it was money well spent on two Premier League rookies.

Big Eck added: “Roger and Scott – they’re showing they can play at this level.”