ST MIRREN manager Oran Kearney has called for the introduction of goal-line technology to avoid a repeat of the contentious incident that cost his team dearly against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Aaron Tshibola’s 69th-minute header was deemed a goal by referee Willie Collum with help from his assistant Douglas Ross, despite heated St Mirren protests that the ball hadn’t crossed the line. To make matters worse for Saints, a Simeon Jackson strike was later wrongly ruled out for offside by the other linesman, David Roome.

Kilmarnock went on to win the game 2-1, leaving a frustrated Kearney still searching for his first win as Saints boss. The Northern Irishman conceded that match officials have a difficult job but hoped that the introduction of the technology used to great effect in the English Premier League could also soon be available up here.

He said: “The two big talking points from Saturday were those goals. One was definitely wrong and the other one was hard to say for certain so it’s very frustrating.

“I’ve seen a picture from a different angle of the second Kilmarnock goal and I would say it’s still inconclusive. The key thing for me is that one of their players is standing between the post and the line so how the linesman can get a view of it then say it’s over the line or not, I really struggle with that.

“Match officials get a hard time and it’s a tough job, but in the last few weeks it feels like we’ve had a few decisions like this that have hurt us in critical moments.

“Having goal-line technology would have taken the grey area out of that incident. The referee’s watch would buzz straight away and you would know immediately one way or the other. I know there are cost implications but it would be good if that could be introduced to our league.

“It’s been a success down in England and other places as there isn’t any huge stopping and starting. The game still flows and it would be one less thing for referees here to have to worry about. So, I’d like to see it here as it would be consistent with what happens in other leagues.”

The use of VAR (video assistant referee) would have overturned the decision to rule out Jackson’s second-half effort but Kearney admitted that would likely be much harder to implement.

He added: “We’ve got raw footage of our own of that one and it’s crystal clear that Simeon is a yard or more onside. So that’s very disappointing.

“VAR would be nice but that takes a lot more technology with camera and the rest, and all the stoppages in the game to implement it. So that one might be harder to introduce. But goal line technology ought to be a bit easier.”

Anton Ferdinand hobbled off at half-time with a groin injury but Kearney didn’t rule the defender out of featuring in Saturday’s game against St Johnstone.

The manager added: “Anton was in with the physio yesterday (Monday) so we’ll see how he progresses. He’s made a big impact since arriving here and you always want your best players on the pitch. So hopefully it’s not too serious.”