Pascal Struijk makes VAR claim after being told about major error during Leeds United vs Millwall

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The significance of it is not enormous, but Leeds United were denied a clear goal on Wednesday night as Joel Piroe stroked a right-footed effort into the top corner.

It was a beautifully-worked goal. With Leeds already 1-0 up and looking to kill the game with fans getting nervous Millwall may find a way back into the clash, Piroe and Brenden Aaronson combined delightfully.

Aaronson has failed to lay on an assist for 15 matches now, but his flick into Piroe would have seen the American finally end that drought. However, the linesman put his flag up as Piroe netted with perfection.

Replays showed that actually, Aaronson was level with the final defender before flicking onto Piroe. Aidy White said that the linesman had made a clear error and he is right, replays show it should have stood.

• READ MORE: Three winners and three losers as Leeds United pick up win vs Millwall

Pascal Struijk shares reaction to Joel Piroe’s disallowed goal

The goal would have put Leeds in the ascendancy in the first half, the game beyond doubt. Yet, Leeds were made to wait until the 85th minute before finally securing the win as Ao Tanaka struck superbly.

Speaking to LUTV after the match, Struijk was asked about Piroe’s goal and said he had been told that replays showed it was onside. He described it as “frustrating” and commented on the lack of VAR.

“I heard it was onside. That’s frustrating, but it’s the ref’s decision, I’m not going to go too deep, it is a decision that has been made and we have no VAR which works for us sometimes. This is part of football.”

Joel Piroe not only misses out on goal but loses top spot

Going into gameweek 37, Piroe was joint first with Norwich’s Borja Sainz in the race for the league’s golden boot. Indeed, it is a rather low-scoring race to win the Championship’s top scorer award this term.

Sainz scored for Norwich on Tuesday night, in a 3-2 comeback win for Sheffield Wednesday. It means the Spaniard now has 16 goals this season, going one above Piroe who should himself now also have 16.

There are still nine games and Piroe is likely to start them. If Leeds are to win promotion, they will need Piroe to score and if Piroe tops the goalscoring charts, Leeds have a better chance of winning the title.