MANAGER Russell Martin questioned VAR once again after his Saints side fell foul of another controversial decision during their 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Flynn Downes had just cancelled out Kaoru Mitoma’s opener when Cameron Archer converted a cross from Saints substitute Ryan Fraser.

A VAR check of more than five minutes eventually decided Archer was onside but then penalised Adam Armstrong, who was offside but did not touch the ball, for interfering with play.

The result means Saints had to settle for a first away point of the season and still remain rock bottom of the Premier League table with just one win.

Martin told the Daily Echo: "This is my problem with VAR.  I can really accept it from the guys on the pitch, the referee and the assistant referees, it's such a difficult job. I wouldn't do it. It's crazy.

"I understand why they would give it in the heat of the moment because Cam maybe looks offside, Arma the same.

"I thought the point of VAR was to take out the subjectivity a little bit and make it clear. And then they set the bar higher this season for the definition of clear and obvious.

"Tonight I go in and speak to the guys and, like I said, I understand why they would maybe make that decision. So I'm not angry with them. It's so difficult.

"They make the right call with the offside. Then it's about interpretation again, how much he (Armstrong) affects the goalkeeper, which is the reason we've been told has been disallowed.

"So in my opinion, understanding football, it affects the goalkeeper if he can't come for the cross because of Adam's position or if Adam's run has made him move position.

"It goes behind Adam and it's too far away for him to come for the cross unless he's Superman, which he's not. He's tall, but he ain't that. He can't fly.

"Does he move because of Adam Armstrong's position? No, he doesn't. He actually takes a step away to Cam Archer because he recognises that's the threat.

"If we are disallowing the goal because the goalkeeper is impeded by Adam Armstrong or affected, then it is a clear and obvious error because he hasn't moved and he can't get across.

"We spend, what, four or five minutes all waiting in the stadium when it's cold, tensions are high and then that decision gets given because the on-pitch decision carries weight.

"I'm sure in a match report, because it is interpretation, it will get given as a correct decision from VAR.

"I went to a Premier League manager meeting in the summer and I was told there was one decision that was wrong.

"If we want the process to get better, let's really understand the decision we're making and why. Let's be really honest about it.

"In my opinion, and other people might feel differently, I'm sure Brighton fans do, but in my opinion, if it's not given because it affects the goalkeeper, it doesn't. 

"So that's a bad decision. It's like a logical process to try and understand, but because it's not clear and obvious enough that it's wrong and it's interpretation, it's a problem.

"I don't want to sit here being a moaning git about decisions. It's a tough job. But I thought VR was brought in to help that.

"If it takes that long, it takes the fun out of celebrating, because you can never celebrate properly. Then what are we doing? The game is about fun and enjoyment."

Saints felt they have been hard done by with decisions against Leicester City, Arsenal, Wolves and Liverpool prior to their trip to Amex Stadium.