Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Tetteh Luggard says the referee was right to award a penalty against him that saw his side slump to an opening day defeat in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament against Heart of Lions.

The Phobians were unable to recover from their early setback after Tetteh Luggard had given away a penalty which Samuel Yeboah converted expertly in the 14th minute.

Luggard failed to make contact with the ball as he rushed out in an attempt to clear – falling his man in the process.

Referee Reginald Larthbridge had no hesitation in pointing to the spot despite the flurry of protests from the Hearts fans.

Luggard in admitting the penalty call was the right one concedes his opponent was quicker to the ball than he was but had no intention of committing a foul.

“I believe it was a penalty because there was a slight contact,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com “I failed to get to the ball first but I didn’t run into the player. It was the player who rather run into me.

“I feel bad [about the result] but the way we played comforts me.”

Hearts must now shake off this defeat to record a result in the return leg of the semi final tie of the pre-season contest on Wednesday to qualify for the finals where AshantiGold or Asante Kotoko await.