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Nigel Pearson admits he understood Liam Rosenior’s frustration in the form of a crucial penalty decision, but says sympathy is in short supply after watching his Bristol City team score a second penalty in the space of two games to see Hull City off 1 below average. -0.

Rosenior was aggrieved by referee Sam Barrott’s decision in the 70th minute to penalize Cyrus Christie for a handball Nahki Wells sent debutant Karl Darlow the wrong way, which turned out to be the only goal of a game in which the Tigers rarely participated.

Pearson’s team went more than 400 days without taking a penalty kick, a streak that included what he felt were two bad decisions in the opening day loss at MKM Stadium, and he says going that long without his team now you are beginning to get what is owed to them.

READ MORE: Liam Rosenior admits anger over Hull City’s display in Bristol City defeat

“On season opener day at their home, we had two evasive appeals turned down, while they were granted a very dubious one,” he said.

“I can understand Liam’s frustration, but I can’t express sympathy when we went 400 odd days without being awarded a penalty and had several other obvious ones that weren’t called by the referees.

“This was a hard-earned victory against a team that defended their area with a lot of commitment. We got into very good positions in the first half without finding that advantage.

“In the second half, we still looked dangerous and we finished the game strongly. It’s good to go into our FA Cup tie with Manchester City on Tuesday night with a good result behind us.

“Twelve unbeaten games is a real improvement for us and while I always look to improve, the players deserve a lot of credit.

“It suggests that all the work put in over two years is proving worthwhile. I would like to think that we are moving in the right direction.

“There is still a long way to go to be the best we can be. But at least we’ve dealt with some of the issues that we needed to address as a club.”

“We are in a better place to take on the next challenge and that is how you evolve as a club.”

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