Thursday 1 January 2015 19:23, UK
Gary Teale has told referee Willie Collum he may have ruined his hopes of landing the St Mirren job full-time after his side went down 2-1 at home to Kilmarnock.
The Buddies caretaker boss was left fuming after his side's controversial defeat, which saw Kenny McLean sent off for an alleged head-butt and Kilmarnock receive and score two penalties.
Teale's men were also given a last minute spot-kick but he claimed Collum got all the big decisions wrong - even the one that went in his side's favour.
The defeat - which still leaves Saints searching for their first home win of the season - comes just a fortnight after the Buddies lost to Motherwell after several crucial calls went against them.
Teale - who plans to appeal McLean's sending off - said: "Were were hard done by? To say the least. I've looked back at the decisions and I told the referee that I was embarrassed that he gave us the penalty at the end.
"That was a token gesture as I didn't think that was a penalty either, and neither were either of the Kilmarnock ones. The decision to send Kenny McLean off was a massive one as well.
"The ref makes those calls in a split-second and he obviously thought he got them right. I think he got them wrong. I'm sitting here with another defeat on my record and that's not going to help me or my chance to get this job.
"In the last home game against Motherwell for me the officials cost us in that one. If we had won the Motherwell game - and we should have - then got a point here then I could be sitting here four points better off. Results will dictate whether I get the job or not so it's a massive hindrance."
Killie moved to within two points of the top six but boss Allan Johnston refused to be too harsh on 20-year-old Craig Slater, who was also dismissed by Collum for celebrating his successful spot-kick with visiting fans.
"He's absolutely gutted in there," Johnston said. "He's obviously forgotten he has been booked.
"To be honest I'm not too sure if he knew the rules either. I don't think he was aware that it was an automatic booking for leaving the field of play.
"He should be flying after scoring the goal and winning the game but he's gutted.
"I'd agree the first penalty looked soft but the second one looked clear. I thought St Mirren's penalty was very soft as well. Overall, on the balance of play, I thought we deserved to win the game."
