Dundee players were left furious after VAR declined to intervene in the build-up to Rangers' equaliser, with the controversial challenge on Joe Bevan ruled not to be a foul. The decision stood, and Rangers went on to lead before the game ended level.
Match Recap: End-to-End Action at Dens Park
The Saturday night clash at Dens Park saw Bradley Fink capitalise on sloppy defending to put Dundee ahead, before Badredine Bouanani lashed Rangers level. Nico Raskin then fired the visitors in front with a thunderbolt from 30 yards in the second half.
Dan Neil gifted the ball to Callum Jones on the edge of the box, who levelled the game for Dundee. The result proved costly for Derek McInnes' men as they failed to reclaim top spot, with Celtic beating Hearts on Sunday to move four points clear.
VAR Controversy: Bevan Tumble Under Review
The Dundee players raged at referee Duncan Nicholson, claiming Olwethu Makhanya had tripped Joe Bevan in the build-up to Bouanani's goal. Matthew McDermid in the VAR room reviewed the flashpoint but opted against sending the referee to the monitor.
After the game, former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd felt Bevan could have had a case if the foul had been given in real time, without VAR. He told Sky Sports: "Had it been given in real time, there would be no complaints. The defender would be moaning, but the striker would be saying I have done my job well and got a free kick. It's never going to be overturned for that."
Pundits Back the Decision
James McFadden added: "I saw it at the time. I thought at the time Bevan had just dropped onto his heels. There is a bit of contact there. You may well get it as a foul in game, but there is no way that is being brought back to rule out a goal. There is not enough in that."
Richard Foster went further on Sportscene, clearing the South Africa international: "Dundee were claiming a foul there, but there is absolutely nothing in that." Steven Thompson added: "No chance."
