Watch the 'horrendous' penalty decision that has Sunderland fans irate

Sunderland fans weren't pleased with this penalty decision

Sunderland fans have hit out after their side were denied a seemingly stonewall penalty during the clash with Bristol Rovers.

With the game locked at 0-0 and half-time approaching, Luke O’Nien saw his burst into the area halted by Rovers’ Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

And while fans expected referee Ben Toner to point to the penalty spot, he instead awarded the Black Cats a corner – much to the surprise of many in attendance.

You can watch the incident in full below:

Toner was booed off the pitch at half-time and was subject to chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ and ‘you’re not to fit to referee’ during the opening 45 minutes.

And supporters had plenty to say on social media too…

@RichyLangton said: “Give up with these refs this season, they were horrendous last season but they've out done themselves this one”

@EGR4Y added: “Give up with these refs this season, they were horrendous last season but they've out done themselves this one”

@jamesfoxbass commented: “He hasn’t got a clue. How that wasn’t a penna I’ll never ever know”

@EmmaJBeveridge posted: “That was the biggest stonewall penalty I have ever seen in my 23 years of life”

@DavidWright1802 tweeted: “Has to be a pen! He can’t have played the ball as it didn’t change direction at all.”

@andyoots added: “Yup, blatant & 100% except it’s league one & standard is atrocious, not sure what game they are watching most of the time.”

@jefflad78 said: “This ref is absolutely inept”