Laws fumes over penalty decision

Last updated : 12 April 2003 By Luke Thornhill

Howard clearly handled the ball while trying to deal with a Peter Beagrie cross as the game reached half-time, but to the astonishment of the crowd referee Butler didn't give the spot-kick.

Laws said: "Their player might just as well have put the gloves on and be called a goalkeeper.

"The referee must have been the only person not to have seen him handle the ball."

Swans manager Bryan Flynn was a relieved man, and admitted that his side rode their luck to earn a vital point.

He said: "As far as the penalty claim is concerned it is very debatable but I am glad for once that the decision didn't go against us.


"We were hanging on in the end after being under pressure for most of the second half.

"We were fairly happy with the way things had gone at half time but Scunthorpe are a good team near the top of the table and we knew they would come at us strongly in the second half.

"The crowd were magnificent yet again and at the end of the season today's point could prove very vital."