BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl described as "a pity" the call to overturn the decision to award his side a penalty at Etihad Stadium.

Saints looked set to have a golden chance to break the deadlock against Manchester City, after referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot when Adam Armstrong went down under Kyle Walker's challenge.

However, after consultation with VAR Martin Atkinson, Moss checked the pitchside monitor and changed his mind, with no foul or card awarded.

The game finished 0-0.

Asked for his thoughts on the game's big flashpoint, Hasenhuttl said: "We had the feeling it was not a clear wrong decision.

"And when the referee thinks it’s a clear wrong decision, then he has to overrule it. He did it. It’s a pity for us and we have to accept it."

Asked if he has since spoken to Moss about the decision, Hasenhuttl added: "No, because it doesn’t make any change. He did it, that’s it.

"And we know if we want to win here we have to have a perfect game, or a perfect day.

"I think we had tactically and football-wise nearly a perfect one, but then you need also the luck to get such a penalty from the referee and this was not perfect."