Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew lamented the decisions to not award his side a goal during the stalemate with Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League last 32 first leg at St James' Park.

Papiss Cisse twice found the back of the net either side of half time, but on both occasions the effort were ruled out.

With FIFA's offside law theoretical meant to hand the attacker the benefit of the doubt, Pardew bemoaned both of the close calls.

"Both goals are onside and fundamentally the officials got them wrong," he told BBC Sport after the game.

"It was a great game, Metalist are a good side and we played a great game tonight, we were physical and technical enough and in these games those are the margins.

"I can accept one but twice is tough to take. The law says it should favour the striker and both those decisions were level."

Papiss Cisse has a goal disallowed for Newcastle against Metalist in the Europa League.

Moussa Sissoko was once again the standout star for Newcastle, impressing in midfield alongside Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote as The Toon salvage a goalless draw to take to Ukraine next week.

But had Cisse, who aside from having two chalked off, missed a number of guilt-edged chances, while Kharkiv, who had won five of their previous eight Europa League away games, posed a constant threat on the break.

Cleiton Xavier had the best chance for the visitors, forcing Tim Krul in claw away his close range header, with the eastern European's dusting off the cobwebs effectively after having not played a competitive fixtures since 6 December.

To contact the editor, e-mail: