Callaghan fumes at call to not give Turkey red card

Seker was only shown a yellow card for a handball on the line. went on to score the winning goal for Turkey

Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan said. Turkey striker Busem Seker "had to be sent off" after she handled the ball before later scoring the winner in their 2-1 victory over Michael McArdle's side.

NI were trailing 1-0 in the closing stages of a quiet first half in Istanbul when the game sparked to life as Seker handled Fi Morgan's goalbound effort on the line.

The ball also appeared to strike the arm of Morgan, but referee Alexandra Collin quickly pointed to the spot. Northern Ireland expected a red card to follow.

However, the French official opted for a yellow, much to the frustration of the visitors. Callaghan, who was on co-commentary duties for the penultimate World Cup qualifier.

Their anger heightened just after the restart when Seker headed home Selen Altunkulak's cross in what proved to be the winning goal which secured the crucial three points. second spot for Turkey in Group B2.

"She has to be sent off for. - she literally saved it with her hand," Callaghan said on BBC iPlayer.

"It is a blatant handball, I think she thought she was in nets for a second. That is a penalty all day.

"You can see the relief on her face [when she is shown a yellow card]. Absolute madness."

Speaking after the match, Seker said she had lost her balance in the build-up to the penalty incident. credited Turkey's response after Megan Bell's spot-kick.

The goal was the eighth the 27-year-old has scored for her country. means Turkey go into the final group game three points off group leaders Switzerland, who have a much superior goal difference.

"I haven't watched the footage properly yet, I'll go and have a look. I had this feeling that someone touched me, I lost my balance and I fell reflexively," the Fenerbahce striker said.

"But I could be wrong, I don't know and I'll watch it now. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal. After they scored that goal, they gained a bit of confidence.

"We stayed calm. We believed we would score the second goal. In the end, we left home with three points."