Saturday 27 December 2014 18:50, UK
Dundee United coach Simon Donnelly claimed a poor refereeing call was a key factor in defeat at St Johnstone.
The visitors appeared on course to cut Celtic's lead at the top to two points when Calum Butcher put them ahead, but two late goals made it six straight wins for St Johnstone.
It was the first of those goals, a Michael O'Halloran header, which infuriated United's staff as their appeals for a handball in the build-up were ignored by ref Alan Muir.
Donnelly, Jackie McNamara's assistant, said: "I do think it was handball. We were looking back at a couple of different angles and it certainly looks as if it struck him on the arm. The referee has told us it was his chest so where do we take it from there?
"It is disappointing because goals change the momentum in games at times and I really felt we were in control.
"If we are being critical we could have defended the cross better after the initial handball but the game certainly changed on that moment and they were in the ascendancy after that. The momentum went with them.
"Jackie is a bit frustrated with the way things went and frustrated with the obvious decision. It is a frustrating result."
Chris Millar's goal won it for Saints, whose boss Tommy Wright said: "It is an impressive run considering where we were a couple of months ago and that is down to the players - their level of performance has been excellent.
"Even though we are winning games by the odd goal I think that is testament to the character of the team.
"To come from a goal behind against a quality side was important for us and that will give us even more confidence going into another difficult match against Aberdeen. It was a great game."
