"Absolutely disgusting!" - Neil Mellor slams controversial Preston North End 1-3 Bristol City flashpoint | OneFootball

Mellor was very unhappy to see Yu Hirakawa's goal stand at the weekend, with the winger using his arm to aid him.

Former Preston North End striker Neil Mellor expressed his fury about Bristol City's opening goal at Deepdale on Saturday.

The former Lilywhites' man was as shocked as many other people when Yu Hirakawa's opener was allowed to stand.

Hirawaka and North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman were in a race to claim the ball, but the former used his arm to bat the ball away from the latter and give the Robins the lead, leaving the home fans at Deepdale feeling aggrieved.

The hosts did manage to equalise through Sam Greenwood, with his excellent free-kick finding its way into the bottom corner just after half-time.

But it wasn't too long before Liam Manning's side took the lead again, with Nahki Wells heading the ball in from Mark Sykes' wonderful cross.

And the away side grabbed a third to all but seal the three points in the 81st minute, with Max Bird linking up well with his teammates before slotting the ball past Woodman.

It proved to be a good day for the travelling fans who had made the long journey to Lancashire - and they will know that they benefitted from some good fortune early doors - with Hirakawa's handball not being spotted.

It could be argued that it was a crucial goal - because it may have given the Robins the confidence to go on and win the game - even after Preston equalised.

Neil Mellor's reaction after Yu Hirakawa's handball v Preston North End

Mellor, who established himself as a fan favourite at Deepdale during his spell there between 2006 and 2011, is clearly still very passionate about his former team.

Referee Tom Nield gave the goal after seemingly going to his earpiece to confer with the nearest linesman, and the official has seemingly come in for some stern criticism from Mellor following a very significant early error on Saturday.

Preston North End have every right to feel let down by poor decision v Bristol City

The decision to award the goal wasn't a good one at all, even though some will have sympathy for the officials.

The linesman and the referee may not have been in the best position to see the handball, and some of the North End players didn't even appeal too much, but many in the ground saw it straight away.

However, it was a goal that the Robins confidence early doors and it probably played an important part in their victory.

City's win isn't ideal for Preston, who now find themselves in 20th place and back in the relegation mix.

They need to try and get over the poor decision now and look ahead to their next game, which comes against league leaders Sunderland. That won't be an easy assignment for Paul Heckingbottom's men, and they will be hoping that more refereeing decisions do not go against them.