West Brom aggrieved by penalty denial in draw at home to Portsmouth

West Brom assistant Nigel Gibbs felt his side should have been awarded a penalty after boss Ryan Mason was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Portsmouth at The Hawthorns in the Sky Bet Championship.

Mason received a straight red card for his reaction after kicking the bench and having words with the fourth official. He will be subject to a touchline ban.

Albion had been denied a penalty before Regan Poole’s grappling on Aune Heggebo moments later went unpunished.

Gibbs was put before the media as per FA rules because of Mason’s red card.

The club confirmed Mason had been shown a yellow card after the penalty incident and then he was shown a straight red.

Gibbs said: “From where we were sitting we thought it was a penalty, but the referee didn’t give us the decision.

“These things happen and we have just got to keep focused to the end, which I thought the players did.

“Ryan spoke to the players afterwards and then I have come straight here. So I haven’t had chance to speak to him.

“Credit to the boys, they kept their discipline and kept pushing to the end but we couldn’t find that opening to get that second goal.”

Mikey Johnston gave the Baggies a 26th-minute lead with a powerful drive from 22 yards.

Pompey equalised on 56 minutes when Colby Bishop met Josh Murphy’s cross with a bullet header.

Controversy reigned as Pompey looked to have survived a strong penalty appeal in the 69th minute after Connor Ogilvie appeared to bring down Heggebo.

Moments later Poole – who had been booked – grappled with Heggebo, with referee Elliot Bell allowing play to continue.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho said: “I spoke to the referee’s assistant just after the penalty incident and he felt that Connor Ogilvie had won the ball.

“At the time I thought we might have been slightly lucky to get away with that (Poole on Heggebo) one.

“I spoke to a couple of the West Brom players and they said Heggebo said he had full hold on Regan’s shirt as well.

“I have to say there were times in the first half when it seemed like George Campbell (Albion centre half) could do whatever he wanted to Colby Bishop.

“There was an incident in the second half where he (Campbell) had two arms across him (Bishop) and dragged him down.

“It’s the most obvious foul, so give it. I thought it evened itself out over the game.”

Gibbs was full of praise for Johnston after he celebrated his recall with a goal.

“Everyone saw what he could do last week when he came on and if you give him the ball in that area he can do that,” he said.

“It was a fantastic shot and goal. We dominated the ball for large periods of the game but just couldn’t unlock the door at times, with the final ball or a decision.”

Mousinho was delighted with his side’s performance.

“It was a fantastic point away from home against an excellent side which I’m convinced will win a lot of points here this season,” he said.

“It was also a brilliant goal by Colby. It was a neatly-worked move – one of the first times we opened West Brom up, and an outstanding cross and finish.”