Sky Sports pundit shares verdict on key first-minute incident in Portsmouth v Bristol City game

Referee Sam Allison made the right call after a huge moment just 45 seconds into Pompey’s Championship game against Bristol City at Fratton Park.

That’s the verdict of Sky Sports pundit Aaron McLean, who believes the match official was right not to award the Robins a penalty kick with less than a minute on the clock at PO4.

The key moment happened when Scott Twine went down under an apparent challenge from Blues defender Regan Poole.

The Fratton faithful watched on nervously as Allison took stock of the incident, with huge sigh of relief all round heard when we ruled no foul had been committed.

And it’s a decision McLean believes was the right one with the aid of TV replays.

The former Peterborough United forward said: ‘I was looking straight away at the referee waiting for him to put his whistle to his mouth, but I think he gets the decision right. I think it’s a stumble.

‘Yeah, I think it’s the right call. Twine, I think, loses his balance and goes down.

‘He’s clearly not happy, beating his fists against the floor.

‘It’s a big decision so early in the game. We don’t have VAR and don’t have the luxury of looking back at it, but I’ve got to say I think the referee got that one right.’

With Pompey at risk of moving into the bottom three today if results don’t go their way, the decision was hugely welcomed.

However, the home side found themselves 1-0 down when Anis Mehmeti headed the visitors ahead on 17 minutes.

For your next Pompey read: Pompey v Bristol City - Live coverage from Fratton Park