Hamilton boss John Rankin admits he let himself down after being sent off for a foul-mouthed blast at ropey ref Mike Roncone in their 1-1 draw with Morton.
But he insists the whistler got it terribly wrong with a red card and a penalty award against Shaun Want late in the first half that ultimately earned Ton a share of the spoils.
The former Hibs midfielder saw ordered off as the players left the field at half-time after he marched towards Roncone and let him exactly what he thought of his controversial decision.
Want, who was already on a yellow card after a booking for a foul after 14 seconds of the game, saw red for a high challenge on Jaze Kaida as he made his way towards goal.
But Rankin insists the challenge was not only outside the box, but that Want kicked the ball into the face of the player, rather than connecting with his boot.
The flabbergasted gaffer said: "When you see it again on the footage, it is outside the box.
"The initial challenge is made outside the box. There's nothing I can say on that decision.
"The decision has been made.
"It's double punishment. Shaun had been booked earlier, but for me he wins the ball and kicks it off the player's face, the ball goes back into the keeper's arms. There's no danger for us.
"All of a sudden we've got a man sent off and a penalty given against us - that was my gripe.
"And I told him that.
"There's a way to speak to people and maybe I didn't speak to him in the right tone.
"I let myself down, but it won't happen again.
"I used foul language but I wasn't abusive.
"I basically pointed two things out, but I let myself down and I let the players down there.
"I've been sent off and I need to deal with the repercussions of that.
"But let's not take away how good the players were and how much effort they put in to try and win the game.
"I wasn't with them in the second half but it just shows their passion and energy to go and put things right in the second half. I'm so proud of them."
The hosts had taken an early lead through Andy Ryan's 11th minute header before ex-Accie Grant Gillespie converted the controversial penalty.
Despite being down to 10-men, Hamilton were the ones really pushing for a winner and had a claim for a penalty themselves when an Andy Ryan strike struck the hands of a Morton player in the box in the final five minutes.
Roncone infuriated Accues further when he waved that claim away, but Rankin was thrilled with the fighting spirit his side showed to claim a point in testing circumstances.
He added: "I'm delighted with the spirit of the players.
"I thought in the second half they were absolutely brilliant. They gave it everything.
"It's what I expect. They convinced me to take the job in the first place with their passion and desire to go and work for each other and themselves.
"At half-time when you are 1-1, you've lost one of your centre-backs and I've let myself down as well, for them to show that they can keep a clear head in that situation, go and put in the performance they did the second half against 11 men and create chances, I can only applaud them.
"The second half performance epitomises what a Hamilton team is for me. Getting in people's faces but also having a real energy and desire to go and win games."
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