Dundee United midfielder Paul McMullan branded referee Craig Thomson’s call to abandon Saturday’s Championship clash at Palmerston as “dubious”.
As temperatures plummeted severely during a red hot first half in which United dominated, only a culmination of excellent goalkeeping by Queen’s Alan Martin and some questionable finishing prevented United from leading in a canter in the 45 minutes played before the match was abandoned.
But as the players defrosted in the dressing rooms it was announced that Scotland’s top whistler had called a halt, claiming players had been complaining to him about “slipping” on the artificial surface.
McMullan said: “It was just like any normal plastic pitch. Personally I didn’t see anybody slipping or making a mistake due to the surface.
“We were all kind of surprised. It is a long way for the players and fans to come for a game to get called off in dubious circumstances. It’s disappointing.
“Everybody in our team is pretty upset as we were playing well and knocking on the door of getting another three points and keep the good run going. Maybe in the end it was the right decision as it was getting colder, but going in at half-time I didn’t think we were not going to be coming out for the second half.”
The United players emerged from the tunnel after it was announced the game was called off and went over to thank their fans who had made the long journey to Dumfries.
McMullan added: “I’ve been sitting at matches when games have been abandoned and they don’t know why, so we went over to explain and to thank them. Personally I don’t mind the plastic pitches – I grew up playing on them. I know it hurts the joints of some of the boys but for me it is all right.
“We have 16 points out of 18 and hopefully we can keep our form going into Christmas.”
United, arrived at Palmerston as Championship leaders on a six-game unbeaten run in the league but almost found themselves a goal down after 10 minutes but Stephen Dobbie’s first time 15-yard effort was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Harry Lewis. It began a United first half onslaught without anything to show for their efforts.
McMullan added: “We’ve dominated a lot of games recently and not been more clinical. One day we will get four or five chances and they will all go in, but as long as we are creating chances that’s the main thing.”
United’s Billy King with the goal gaping, somehow hooked the ball wide from 12 yards after 20 minutes, and King had another chance five minutes later, but his shot was parried by goalkeeper Martin. Seconds later Jamie Robson volleyed over from close range and McMullan crashed the ball into the side netting from 12 yards in 28 minutes.
King had a downward header from close range brilliantly saved by Martin in 33 minutes, who recovered to make a stunning second block from Scott McDonald as the striker slid in.
United boss Csaba Laszlo said: “Billy King should have scored a hat-trick.”
As the players headed for the warmth of the dressing rooms Thomson and his two assistants spent almost 10 minutes inspecting the pitch during the interval and after a brief consultation with Police Scotland’s match commander and the managers, the match was abandoned.
Laszlo went on: “The referee made the decision and we have to accept it. I’m sad as we controlled the game and had the feeling we would have won.”
Queen’s boss Gary Naysmith said: “The referee made the decision without any of our input. If he thinks it was for the safety of the players then it is the right decision. At no point did our players want the game off.”
