Oran Kearney was left to question two key refereeing decisions as his Coleraine side fell to a 2-0 defeat at Linfield.
After a bright start to the game the Bannsiders found themselves a goal down on 14 minutes after Chris Shields had put the hosts in front from the penalty spot.
Referee Shane Andrews awarded the penalty after his assistant had flagged for a handball against Coleraine defender Dean Jarvis.
Read more: Irish Premiership recap as Reds and Blues earn big wins in title race
But Kearney felt the decision was harsh and questioned why Jarvis was penalised for that incident and nor for a similar one in the second half.
"Who knows what the handball rule is," he said.
"The throw-in has gone over Dean's head and he's turned round, The ball's bounced off Cooper, it's skipped up off the ground and come his way.
"But as he's running in, his arms are exactly where they should be, he hasn't made a gesture, I don't see a big movement towards the ball.
"There was an identical one in the second half where it's come off Dean, he's miscontrolled it, but his arms are where they should be.
"It hits his hand, it hits the ground and the referee plays on and rightly so. To me, they're two identical scenarios.
"Just because the linesman decides to get busy and throw his flag up, he still has to be in that position where he makes that decision, albeit the correct decision as well.
"It's hard enough to come here and then all of a sudden you're 1-0 down after about ten minutes.
"But I have to commend our players on their response - I thought they were super."
Kearney was also left frustrated that his side were not awarded a free kick before Eetu Vertainen added a second for the Blues at the start of the second half.
The Bannsiders boss felt Andy Scott should have been awarded a foul after several tackles on him.
"To me, it's a horrible decision again, nearly worse, which costs that goal," said Kearney.
"It's just basic stuff and I am angry. There's two huge calls today and I don't care, the tiniest inch can make a massive difference.
"When you get both of those goals which I believe shouldn't have happened for the reasons that we've spoke about it's easy to get very frustrated coming away from here. Goals change games.
"To top it all off Shevy nearly gets decapitated in the 18 yard box.
"Whether Chris (Johns) has punched the ball or not or made contact with the ball or not it's irrelevant as it's this 'out of control' thing, danger to other players.
"From my recollection Chris has hit Shevy at shoulder level, and wipes him out.
"The referee then blows the whistle straight away. By all accounts, our players are saying he's said 'penalty'.
"Then a few of the other players by all accounts were saying 'that's never a penalty'.
"He then says 'no penalty' and proceeds - and I still have no answer to this - to restart the game with a drop ball for Linfield when we were in possession.
"I hate to be sitting here complaining and it looks like I'm deflecting and everything else but the three big moments of the game have cost us a penalty, have cost us two goals and it's this thing again of we just carry on regardless."
READ NEXT:
- Paul McElroy outlines key milestone after hat-trick heroics
Tiernan Lynch plays down title race as he hails 'special group of players'
West Belfast footballer helping others struggling with gambling addiction
Linfield captain Mulgrew spells out simple truth facing title-chasing Blues
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
