Former referee Charlie Richmond believes referee Craig Napier made a mistake sending off Jamie Hamilton on Saturday.
The Hamilton Accies defender was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Martin Boyle after just 12 minutes.
The decision changed the course of the game after Accies made a blistering start and Richmond insists Hamilton shouldn't have been sent off.
He said: "It was a yellow card. It was extremely harsh to show a red because I don't think he's gone in to tackle or made much contact with the player.
"He's gone to block the ball and it's actually Martin Boyle who makes contact with Hamilton's back foot. His foot is just going in to challenge the ball going up the touchline.
"He tackles about a yard in front of the player. I agree with the original decision of the referee that it was a yellow but the assistant has decided it's a red card.
Hamilton have submitted an appeal to the SFA Judicial Panel over Napier's decision and are hopeful of receiving a verdict by the end of the week.
Richmond believes the Lanarkshire club have a strong case and that the decision should be rescinded although the process can be inconsistent.
The former ref added: "I believe that Hamilton have a good chance of getting it overturned and reduced to a yellow.
"They'll ask the referee if he saw the full incident and take it from there. If he's not had a clear view then it opens up the debate as to who decided it was a red card.
"There will be three former referees on the committee who will give their opinion on it. They will need to be unanimous that it's a red card or the decision will be overturned."
It's understood that linesman Graeme Stewart, who should have been in self-isolation, instructed referee Napier to upgrade his decision to a red card.
Stewart had an unobstructed view of the incident from five yards away and Richmond explained the decision making process.
He said: "Craig would have gave his opinion but the linesman was in a much better position. The referee would side with his colleague because the linesman views the challenge from straight on.
"He probably wasn't aware of the distance between the players because his first leg doesn't touch Boyle.
"He does challenge in a reckless manner but he actually touches the ball with his leading leg.
"It's more of a blocking challenge, like when a player is clearing the ball but a defender's follow through touches him."
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