Chris Strain insists Chris McGowan's 'harsh' red card wrecked Kilwinning's chance of leaving Blair Park with all three points.
The Buffs boss watched David Ramsay give his side a 32nd minute lead in yesterday's West of Scotland League Premier Division clash.
But the visitors' afternoon threatened to unravel after five frantic minutes at the start of the second half.
First, Jack Whittaker turned home Lewis Morrison's cross to haul Hurlford level. Moments later, Buffs full-back McGowan was sent packing for a reckless lunge on Paul McKenzie.
Kilwinning did well to see out the remaining 40 minutes relatively comfortably with 10-men to claim a point.
But gaffer Strain told Ayrshire Football News: "I think we would probably have won the game if we had 11 v 11 for 90 minutes.
"I thought we were the better team. First half we dominated the game. We were well worth the 1-0 lead, maybe more. That's my only disappointment - that we should have been further to the good.
"Second half we lose a goal straight away with sloppy play and then just as we regroup Chrissy gets sent off.
"The referee thinks Chrissy caught him too high and the ball wasn't there to be won.
"I don't agree with him. It's harsh, but that's his view on things.
"From there I don't think Hurlford had a clear opportunity. We're unlucky not to win the game to be honest."
Kilwinning had the advantage of a strong wind at their backs in the first half and they, perhaps unsurprisingly, went on to create the lion's share of the chances.
'Ford keeper Martin MacDonald was called into action early to deny Ben Lewis and Jordan Stuart with solid stops before the post came to his rescue to keep out Kieran Woods' header.
The home side had their moments though and Morrison was unlucky to see one effort hit the outside of the post and another hacked off the line by McGowan.
It was no surprise however when Ramsay made the breakthrough for Buffs, his close range finish after Ford failed to deal with Lewis's cross from the left, giving the visitors the lead at the break.
However, just two minutes into the second half Hurlford were back on level terms.
A quick counter attack ended with Morrison fizzing a dangerous ball across the six yard line where the sliding Whittaker was on hand to apply the finishing touch at the back post.
Another promising breakaway in 50 minutes led to McGowan's dismissal. The defender dived into a desperate challenge on McKenzie near the half-way line and appeared to catch the winger on the thigh.
Referee David Ingram took his time before flashing a red card to hand Ford a numerical advantage for the remainder of the match.
The hosts simply couldn't capitalise however and, other than a late Sam Lidington strike that was well saved by Barclay, offered very little threat going forward.
Boss Darren Henderson admitted: "When you score and then they get the red card you're in the ascendency.
"I expect us to create a bit more than we did and that's disappointing.
"To be honest, it was a horrible game to watch and it wasn't one I'd have liked to play in either.
"I don't think any team deserved to lose with the conditions and the way the game panned out."
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