Motherwell manager Stuart McCall revealed assistant referee Francis Andrews was "absolutely adamant" he had made no mistake despite denying Motherwell a clear goal and awarding a penalty for a challenge outside the box as Hibernian won 4-0 at Fir Park.
Stevie Hammell thought he had cancelled out David Wotherspoon's long-range opener when he headed at least a foot over the line before Ben Williams clawed it out, but referee Stevie O'Reilly and Andrews failed to award the goal.
McCall said: "Everything that could go against us did go against us. The first half we created umpteen chances and I just told the lads at half-time to play the same way, although obviously tighten up at the back. But obviously we scored a goal that was a foot and a half over the line but the linesman is still adamant it didn't go over."
O'Reilly also gave two controversial penalties against Motherwell, which were converted by Leigh Griffiths. The first came when Darren Randolph leaned into Griffiths and scooped the ball behind with his hand and the second when Hammell challenged Wotherspoon outside the box and appeared to get the ball first.
Wotherspoon waltzed through the home defence to set up Danny Handling six minutes into injury time, the delay caused by an injury to O'Reilly who was replaced by Iain Brines. Motherwell were also awarded a disputed penalty when James McPake leaned over Michael Higdon to head away but the striker blazed over.
McCall added: "They go up the park and get a penalty which the foul, if at all, is outside the box. The same linesman again is adamant that it was a yard inside. I hate whinging about officials but key moments have gone against us. Key moments in the game that would have turned it in our favour have quite evidently gone against us.
"Speaking to him at half-time he was absolutely adamant. I wasn't sure at first but he was absolutely adamant, 'not a chance was it over the line'. I won't hear anything from him, there is no chance, because he was very definite and forthright in both decisions."
Hibs moved into second spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and manager Pat Fenlon argued they are not getting due credit.
Fenlon said: "People want to talk about the incidents but the first goal was a fantastic goal. We got some decisions and that's great, we don't always get them. It's a difficult place to come especially on the back of getting beat last week (3-2 against Ross County).
"People questioned our defensive capabilities and I thought tonight we stood up to be counted. We don't seem to get too much credit for anything so that doesn't concern me. I have told the players what it's about and I'm delighted with them, whatever other people want to write or talk about is up to them."
Source: PA
