Dundee manager Paul Hartley believes Ryan Christie “conned” his side out of a victory as it finished 1-1 at Inverness.
Christie won a penalty in the second half against Dark Blues defender Kevin Holt but Hartley slammed the decision of match referee Brian Colvin.
The visitors had gone in front just after half-time when David Raven was adjudged to have fouled Dundee’s Greg Stewart in the box.
Rory Loy despatched the spot-kick after stand-in ICT skipper Raven was sent off.
However, Colvin evened up proceedings when he blew for Christie going down under Holt’s challenge, something which left Hartley seething after the final whistle.
The Dens gaffer claimed: “The referee has been conned.
“I’ve seen the footage back and there’s no contact whatsoever.
“The referee has possibly evened it up – there’s no contact whatsoever.
“The linesperson also, who is in a great position, doesn’t say anything.
“I didn’t think it was a penalty during the game but, seeing it back afterwards, there was absolutely no contact. He’s been conned.
“We’d like to think we’d have seen it out against 10 men. They’ve been given a lifeline.”
Inverness had a goal disallowed through Josh Meekings in the first half before Raven was dismissed after the break.
Loy and Greg Tansey traded penalties and, after a couple of stops from home keeper Owain Fon Williams, Liam Polworth skewed a glorious shot wide.
Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believed neither penalty should have been given and was also scathing of Colvin’s display.
“I don’t think there was a penalty in the game and I don’t think there was a sending off,” said Hughes.
“David Raven is one of the most honest guys.
“He toe-poked it, got a toe on the ball. Danny Devine is around on the cover, so how is it a red card?
“For me, there were no penalties and it wasn’t a red card.
“It so happens it is the same referee we last had about 16 months ago against St Johnstone, where he sent Ross Draper off and gave a penalty when Brian Graham dived.
“It is bitterly disappointing and I feel for the referee because I think he made a mistake – I think he made a few today and it changed the game.”