- Joe Willock’s shot was initially saved before blazing rebound over the bar
- Newcastle were then awarded a goal as the ball was deemed to have crossed line
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Newcastle were awarded a controversial goal in their FA Cup fourth round clash with Birmingham.
Ethan Laird shocked Eddie Howe’s men by opening the scoring inside 40 seconds.
The visitors then got on level terms in controversial fashion when Joe Willock turned in William Osula’s pull back in the 21st minute.
The Newcastle midfielder was initially dejected after being denied by goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell before blazing the rebound over the bar.
But dejection turned to delight when the Magpies were handed the goal as Willock’s first shot was deemed to have crossed the line.
Goal line technology is used in the FA Cup but not in League One grounds.
Former Birmingham defender Matthew Upson said on the BBC: It’s a tough one to call. It’s actually impossible to tell whether that’s fully over the line.
‘It’s the first real time Callum Wilson has got into the game and made something happen.’
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman added: ‘The assistant referee flagged really early as if he has given the goal. You put the flag across the chest to say a goal but he was still waving it like he had given an offside or throw.
‘It’s just confused everybody. Newcastle thought they missed the chance and Birmingham thought they got away with one. That looks awfully close and it would have been very difficult to give.’
