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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

'Lucky' - Ex-Crystal Palace & Chelsea strikers' verdict on Wigan McClean booking call vs Bolton

James McClean was 'lucky' to still be on the pitch for Wigan Athletic after avoiding a second yellow card in the draw against Bolton Wanderers.

That's the view of former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison.

McClean put the Latics in front early in the first half as his cross found its way all the way through to give the hosts an early lead.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Wigan Athletic draw, Bodvarsson goal & McClean referee decision

Leam Richardson's side dominated much of the first half but a big moment came before half-time when referee Samuel Barrott refrained from showing McClean a second yellow card following a foul on Dapo Afolayan, for whom he had fouled for his opening booking earlier in the game.

Wanderers were the better team after the break and got a deserved equaliser when Bodvarsson rose to nod home Will Aimson's cross and give Wanderers a share of the spoils.

But the lack of a second yellow card shown to the Republic of Ireland international was a big talking point after the game.

And speaking on the EFL highlights show on Quest, Morrison felt that the Latics winger was fortunate to not have been given his marching orders on the stroke of half-time.

He said: "We can't see from that angle but he must have clipped him. The referee is in a good position and gives him a yellow card (for the first foul on Afolayan) which is deserved.

"So if he gives him the first yellow card, then I don't know how he's not given it here.

"I don't like players getting sent off, but James McClean knows that's a foul there and he's probably lucky to be on the pitch. James McClean is a good footballer and he's done ever so well at Wigan so far."

Ex-Chelsea strikers Sam Parkin concurred with Morrison and felt the thin ice that McClean was on after the incident hampered his side after the break as Wanderers got back on level terms.

He said: "I think it possibly hindered Wigan a little bit what happened because they had to play a little bit differently in that second half and he maybe just had to watch his step, understandably because me and Clinton are in agreement that probably should have been a second yellow."

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