Munster hold off Warriors

Glasgow 11 Munster 11:Welsh referee James Jones was the target for furious Glasgow Warriors fans after their heroes were almost mugged by former European champions Munster at Firhill.

They felt the Warriors were the victims of a string of dodgy verdicts — including a touchdown which was mysteriously chalked off.

The flashpoint proved to be crucial to the outcome as the hosts just managed to cling on to their 14-month unbeaten Magners League home record.

Munster had made a powerful start and it was no shock when they edged in front with a simple Paul Warwick penalty after Daryl Gibson sneaked offside in his own danger zone.

The strike awoke the Warriors from their slumbers, however they were forced to reshuffle their pack as Johnnie Beattie replaced ankle injury victim Stevie Swindall.

Almost immediately, Glasgow levelled the issue thanks to a pinpoint Dan Parks penalty in the wake of a sizzling move featuring World Cup colleagues Andy Henderson and Fergus Thomson.

The Scots stepped up the momentum and snapped up an opportunist try.

A hefty clearance down the middle by Parks sparked panic among the Munster back ranks with former Great Britain rugby league star Brian Carney letting the ball slip from his grasp in the 22-area.

Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer was then harried in possession and when the ball broke clear, it was Samoan winger Lome Fata'au who was first to react and claimed a score on his home debut.

Controversy erupted a few minutes later when the Warriors were denied what looked like a valid score.

Ref Jones — on the say-so of his touch judge — ruled that Chris O'Young had put his foot out of play a split-second before Thom Evans squeezed in.

But television replays clearly showed that O'Young's legs had been in the air at the all-important moment when he released the ball.

It was a puzzle to the Glasgow fans why the officials spurned the chance to refer the incident to the video ref.

Jones again incurred the wrath of the Warriors supporters when he awarded Munster a penalty — despite the fact veteran Irish hooker Frankie Sheehan had landed a series of unprovoked punches on opposite number Thomson when a scrum disintegrated.

There was still time before the break for Warwick to claw back three points for the visitors.

The margin was restored in the 50th minute as Parks banged over his second penalty following back-chat by Stringer.

Yet again, ref Jones was in the spotlight when he ignored a late challenge on Parks — and handed Munster a penalty when Glasgow skipper Ally Kellock complained.

Justice was done as Warwick wildly hooked his 40-metre effort. Munster began to wear down the Glasgow defence and a brilliant surge by Rua Tipoki set up the equalising touchdown for centre partner Lifeimi Mafi 10 minutes from time.

Mafi was then yellow-carded for a professional foul at a ruck, handing Parks the chance to reclaim the lead for the Warriors. However, he pushed it wide of the far post.