'Not quite in that zone' - Dermot Gallagher delivers Lee Mason verdict following Brighton controversy

Referee Dermot Gallagher wears a communication headset during the Barclays Premiership match between Watford and Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road on November 4, 2006 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Referee Lee Mason chose to disallow a Lewis Dunk free-kick during Brighton’s 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday afternoon.

Graham Potter’s men went behind early on to a headed effort from Kyle Bartley.

The Seagulls, however, thought they had equalised when a quickly taken free-kick from the centre-back caught goalkeeper Sam Johnstone off-guard.

Confusion then reigned in the aftermath as referee Mason and his VAR team struggled to determine whether or not the official had blown his whistle before or after the ball had been kicked.

After initially appearing to give the goal, Mason took a long period of deliberation and even went over to his pitchside monitor before disallowing the strike.

The debacle has prompted a furious reaction from fans and pundits alike.

"I've been in situations in games many years ago where I've lost focus for a little while," said former referee Gallagher said to Sky Sports.

"I think that's the key thing. I think Lee's lost focus here.

"He's tried to regain his focus - he's just a little bit of concentration and he's not quite in that zone of making accurate decisions.

"He should never have had the free-kick taken in the first place, but having done that, he's then got to follow the process through.

"I think he's quickly realised, he's blown a second time quite rightly to stop that, to say I want to control it.

"The ball's entered the net, and at that point the VAR has said to him that the ball has not entered the net before the whistle has gone, so therefore the goal doesn't stand."

Speaking to Sky Sports at full-time Dunk was visibly livid, and could not conceal his anger with Mason's conduct.

"It's embarrassing," he raged. "It's a horrendous decision."

The result leaves Sam Allardyce's West Brom nine points adrift of safety Premier League following the win, which was their first in seven fixtures.

Brighton, though, are just four points clear of the relegation zone following a second consecutive loss despite missing two penalties in the match.