Jackson left stunned by penalty award

By Carl Marston

JOHNNIE Jackson was “stunned” by referee Andy Hall's decision to award Barnsley a controversial late penalty for handball in Saturday's incident-packed Layer Road match.

Substitute Kim Christensen's 85th-minute shot appeared to strike Jackson on the shoulder, from point blank range, but Mr Hall ruled that the U's midfielder had raised his arm to block.

That gifted Brian Howard the chance to tuck home his second spot kick of the game, and so deny Colchester United a first win of the season.

The late penalty shocker capped what had been a dramatic afternoon.

The U's had keeper Dean Gerken sent off midway through the first-half, which handed teenager Mark Cousins a surprise senior debut, while Teddy Sheringham prodded home his first goal in a Colchester shirt.

However, all talk was of Jackson's misfortune, rather than Sheringham's joy, at the final whistle.

“We are all gutted. We feel that we have been robbed, because we couldn't see Barnsley scoring an equaliser,” blasted Jackson.

“The only way they could score was from a dodgy penalty, which is what happened. I'm just stunned that the ref could give a penalty.

“I was just telling myself that I'd got in a good block, when the referee blows his whistle. It was a decent bit of defending. At first, I thought he was blowing for offside.

“I had my arms by my side, and the ball hit the top of my arm. It's baffling how he could give the penalty. Their lad (Christensen) caught the ball cleanly and I was only standing two yards away, so how are you expected to get out of the way of that?

“It's just a shame. I couldn't complain, because I'd already been booked, so he'd have then sent me off, which would have made it even worse.

“Still, the lads responded terrifically after going a goal down and a man down. Looking at the positives, we are undefeated in two league games and we're playing well,” added Jackson.