Ten-man Arbroath slipped to sixth in the League Two table after being held to a draw by SPFL newcomers Edinburgh City in a six-goal Meadowbank thriller.
Red Lichties defender Ricky Little and manager Dick Campbell were critical of referee Scott Millar’s performance, who failed to disallow Ousman See’s second goal for the home side after the forward had appeared to impede goalkeeper Robbie Mutch as both players challenged for a high ball.
The Arbroath keeper was taken to hospital with a chest injury in the aftermath of the goal.
“It was a hard game out there,” acknowledged Gayfield defender Ricky Little, “made even harder by the referee, but we can’t use that as an excuse. I thought we were terrible today, especially in the first half. We just couldn’t get going.
“We’re giving away cheap goals and that’s where our main problems lie.”
Arbroath took the lead early on through Omar Kader but were quickly pegged back when recently-signed defender Marc Laird levelled for the home side.
Little headed home Bobby Linn’s cross shortly after half time but his goal was cancelled out by See’s controversial equaliser.
When See netted again with 21 minutes remaining, victory appeared likely for the Capital side.
Martin Scott scrambled a third for the visitors, however, and, although Jassem Sukar received a straight red card in the closing stages after a foul on Ian McFarland, Campbell’s men held on for a point.
“The referee made some critical decisions today,” said Campbell afterwards.
“I felt he should have been helped by his linesman at their second goal and I don’t think it was a sending off but it wasn’t the referee who caused us to draw – it was Edinburgh City.
“They scored three goals, which they haven’t done this season so credit to them.”