Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell questions consistency after Harry Paton red

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell called for greater consistency in the decision making of match officials after having Harry Paton sent off in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Dundee.

Paton was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Luke McCowan after VAR intervened and asked referee Iain Snedden to reconsider his initial decision to book the midfielder.

Kettlewell was honest enough to admit Paton deserved that outcome but was left frustrated after what he considered a similar tackle by Celtic’s Greg Taylor on Blair Spittal the previous weekend was deemed only worthy of a yellow card.

The Motherwell manager: “I think it’s a red card from what I’ve seen (of the Paton challenge).

“I caught a glimpse of it on the screen and I believe it’s a red card.

“But Greg Taylor’s tackle last week on Blair Spittal was no different and he received a yellow card while Harry Paton gets a red card.

“These types of tackles must come with the same punishment’punished for everything’. but they certainly don’t. You speak to people at Celtic Park last week, members of staff and others, and they knew Greg had got away with one. Just now I feel like we’re getting punished for absolutely everything.

“Our card count is higher than everybody else’s and every foul we make in the middle of the park seems to come with a yellow card.

“That’s fine as long as it goes both ways. But I don’t feel it’s going that way.”

Motherwell claimed a point from a frenetic contest when Conor Wilkinson equalised deep into stoppage time.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty was frustrated with that outcome but felt his newly-promoted side remained on course to finish in the top half of the table.

He said: “I think we are playing like a top-six team. I don’t think we should’ve drawn this game.

“To be sitting where we are I am happy, but we want more. I know how hard they train and I want to see them getting rewards for their work.

“I’m not surprised by our level as I see it consistently during this season.

“I see it in training every day. I’m really gutted for my players because they’ve undone themselves.

“It’s a punishing, unforgiving league and we must manage games better when we get on top.”