Conor Hourihane was upset that a late penalty was not given to Barnsley for handball before Mansfield equalised for a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
The Reds, who led thanks to David McGoldrick and Scott Banks, conceded a penalty then thought they should have been given one on 92 minutes when Reyes Cleary’s shot appeared to hit Deji Oshilaja’s arm in the area.
Head coach Hourihane said: “Reyes has a shot, his hand is over his head, how it’s not given I will never know.
“I can’t remember the last time we got a penalty in the league.
“I don’t complain about refs too often, it’s probably one of my first emotional interviews but he’s clearly got it wrong.”
Hourihane said he went to referee’s room after the game.
“He didn’t say that much, just that he missed it. I said the fourth official has to help you because he has the same angle as us.
“His hand was so high it’s ridiculous
“It’s really really disappointing. All the work you put into stuff and the hours that goes into prep. We have had a couple of penalties (not given) in the last couple of weeks that blow my mind. It’s really frustrating.”
On the game in general, Hourihane said: “I thought our lads were top on a horrible pitch. Sometimes you have to grind and dig in. Our lads were outstanding and we’re all hurting in there, very very emotional.”
He added: “I know one or two people will go on about ‘you were 2-0 up’ and all that rubbish but the lads were really good and deserved three points. It was taken out of their hands by the officiating.”
Hourihane said he would have to see Mansfield’s penalty back. It was given against Scott Banks for a foul on Nathan Moriah-Welsh.
“Moments change games. Goals change games and it was a disappointing penalty to give away with a long time to go.
“It changes the flow, they get a leg up. But I thought our lads handled it really really well.”
The equaliser came in the 94th minute after a long throw.
“The ref cost us. That wouldn’t have come along if the ref had given the penalty. It’s nothing to do with the lads late on with that goal.”
McGoldrick fired in the opener from long-range after a Tom Bradshaw pass.
“I thought Tom and Didzy were top all day, leading the line and casing mayhem. I wanted to go with two strikers and use their experience on a tough pitch. There was going to be long balls and they would have to run after them. They were a handful all day.
“Credit to the both of them for putting that gift in, they are always first class at the age they both are.”
Hourihane took off Corey O’Keeffe on 39 minutes after he was booked. He said: “I had to do it. Nothing against Cory. He was just treading a tightrope we needed to be careful with.”
