Sunderland boss Roy Keane refused to condemn the match officials after Kieran Richardson's superb goal was ruled out in their 0-0 draw with Fulham.

Richardson had hit the woodwork three times near the end of the first half of this Premier League match - with one shot.

His 41st-minute effort saw the ball hit both posts, then strike the woodwork again via Cottagers goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who eventually gratefully grabbed it.

Richardson tried his luck with another set-piece nine minutes after the break - and this time hit the back of the net from 20 yards.

But Keith Stroud, refereeing only his second Premier League game this season, spotted pushing by Pascal Chimbonda in the Fulham wall and disallowed the strike - even though television replays appeared to prove the full-back innocent.

Keane insisted: "The official got it wrong, no doubt about it, but there is no point in me ranting and raving and swearing about it because it wouldn't do me any good and might get me into trouble.

"I prefer to focus on some of the positive football we played because if there is something I can't control goes against us I just have to accept it. It certainly didn't look to be our day - especially with Kieran hitting the woodwork like that.

"It was a game of chances and yet no goals. That's why top strikers are paid so much money to put the ball in the net. But to be honest Fulham had chances as well and perhaps a draw was a fair result. No - change that, we edged it."

Djibril Cisse's shot also hit the Fulham woodwork late in the second half with Schwarzer beaten by a strike that crashed off the crossbar.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admitted: "I don't think I've ever seen the ball hit the woodwork three times from one shot before - but long may it continue if we are the side to benefit.

"People might say we were lucky today but I thought we played well, fought hard and deserved a draw at least.

Hodgson congratulated referee Stroud for disallowing Richardson's free-kick in the second half.

He said: "He had warned Chimbonda already for pushing in the wall and obviously kept his eye on the situation.

"Fair play to him because luckily for us he was able to focus on his job and make the right decision.

"We looked a bit jaded to start with but improved and the main thing was we ended a run of defeats, broke our duck with the point."