Airdrie forward Jon Afolabi insists he is no diver after picking up a booking for simulation and being denied two penalties in their 1-1 draw with Clyde on Saturday.
The Celtic loanee was incensed with referee Calum Scott when he flashed a yellow card his way early on in the contest when Clyde keeper Josh Bradley-Hurst appeared to bring him down in the box.
And the 22-year-old's misery was compounded in the second half when he was denied another spot-kick claim for what he believed was an obstruction in the box.
These were some of a number of penalties claims that didn't go for the Diamonds on Saturday, with Callum Fordyce seemingly wiped out by Clyde keeper Bradley-Hurst when he was trying to punch clear and Adam Frizzell twice going down in the box with no award.
The costly slip-up saw Airdrie miss the chance to close the five-point gap on League One leaders Cove in the title race, after they drew 2-2 at Alloa, and Afolabi said: "It's very frustrating because the lads put a lot of hard work into the game and it was a good chance to close the gap on Cove above us.
"The decisions are very disappointing. My job is just to get to the ball first. The goalkeeper was fully committed [on the first claim] and there was contact, he took me down.
"There was definitely contact and that's what took me down.
"The booking just made it even worse. I asked the referee after the game about it and he said it was a clear simulation, it was a dive.
"But I had an open goal so you just wouldn't go down in that situation.
"I'm trying to get a shot off or get my body in a good positions. Defenders aren't there to just stand still obviously, they are there to make contact. It's a physical sport, but sometimes there are obstructions.
"The one in the second half I thought was an obstruction. I was about to get a shot off, there was no way the defender was getting the ball and he didn't get the ball.
"We just have to make sure we work even harder now because it's coming up to crunch time in this league."
Having arrived from Celtic earlier this month on loan until the end of the season, the young Irishman has impressed in his three appearances so far.
He opened his Diamonds account with the winner in a 1-0 victory at Peterhead last week and believes there is more to come as Airdrie head into the business end of the campaign.
A tricky trip to Alloa now awaits on Saturday and Afolabi added: "It was good to get my first goal at Peterhead and it would have made my weekend a lot better to get another one against Clyde, but we'll build towards the next game.
"I back myself to do very well with these lads behind me. The way we play I should be able to create chances and score goals.
"Alloa will be tough after their result with Cove, but we will keep doing everything we can to keep the pressure on Cove.
"That chance [of the title] is pushing all of us on."
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