Dermot Gallagher believes Lee Mason 'lost focus' during Lewis Dunk's disallowed goal

Albion lost the game 1-0 at the Hawthorns yesterday, but the decision to rule out Dunk’s free-kick was the major talking point of the match.

The controversial moment of the game came in the 29th minute as Albion were awarded a free-kick after Gallagher fouled Alexis Mac Allister just outside the box.

Skipper Lewis Dunk took the free-kick quickly, but AFTER the whistle, and put his effort into the top corner with Sam Johnstone still totally out of position.

Mason disallowed the goal but, after the visitors complained, then allowed it.

VAR referee Simon Hooper then appeared to be checking for offside against Dan Burn.

The final decision was that the free-kick should be retaken, which Dunk then put straight at Johnstone.

After the game Dunk described the decision to rule the goal out as 'horrendous'.

Read the full story here However, Gallagher believes Mason lost his concentration by allowing the free-kick to be taken quickly.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Gallagher said: “I have been in situations in games many years ago where I have lost focus for a little while and I think that is the key thing.

“Lee has lost focus here; he has tried to regain his focus after having the free-kick taken. He has just lost a bit of concentration and he is not quite in the zone for making accurate decisions.

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

“I think he has quickly realised he has blown a second time quite rightly to say I want to stop and control it.

“The ball has entered the net and it is at that point that the VAR has said to him that the ball has not entered the net before the whistle has gone so therefore the goal does not stand.

“I think the fact he went across to the bench has given that little bit of thinking time and created that time for him to get his thoughts together and when he has gone back, he is in a better frame of mind to restart that situation.”