Colin Spence felt Irvine Meadow were denied a blatant penalty during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Clydebank - but admitted the better side won.
Meadow were already two down in the West of Scotland League Premier Division clash when Jamie Martin appeared to be barged over in the box by Bankies defender Oisin McHugh but referee Keiran Trayner waved play on.
The second half flashpoint - which you can view below - put the lid on a frustrating afternoon for the hosts as they lost out to a superb Joe Slattery strike and opportunist finish from Nicky Little.
"I thought it was a stonewall penalty - I can't understand how the ref doesn't give that," said co-boss Spence.
"The ref said he was close to it and he felt it was a fair challenge. It's a penalty nine times out of 10.
"It's frustrating because if we get it, it gives us a wee foothold at 2-1 and we can go and put them under a bit of pressure.
"I thought it was an easy decision."
Spence, however, insisted that he had no complaints about the result.
He said: "I don't think there was much in the game in the first half at all. Second half, Clydebank were probably the better team. They created a few more chances than us.
"Listen, the boys gave their all. We're carrying a right good few injuries. We're missing a few bodies and we lost Jamie Whyte at half-time through another injury.
"I thought the boys dug in and fought away."
A highlight for Meadow was the performance of 17-year-old prospect Brandon Holland who was handed a midfield starting role in the absence of Kyle Faulds.
The youngster made a quick impression, forcing Bankies goalkeeper Jamie Donnelly into the first save of the match in 16 minutes with a powerful drive from a tight angle.
That aside though, Bankies looked the more dangerous of the two teams and they got their noses in front two minutes later when Slattery pounced on a loose ball 25 yards from goal and curled a beauty of a strike into the top corner.
A brilliant goal-line clearance from Clydebank striker Ciaran Mulcahy denied Connor Boyd an equaliser in 35 minutes and the visitors piled on the agony by doubling their lead soon after.
Meadow keeper Marc Waters was culpable, racing outside his area to make a headed clearance only to find Little who rolled a trundling side-footed finish into the empty net from 30 yards.
The home side gave a better account of themselves in the second half but lacked the creativity to cut Clydebank open.
Martin's 47th minute penalty shout was as good as it got for the hosts until Martin Findlay rattled the post in the game's dying seconds.
Clydebank could easily have added to their tally, with Waters making a fine save with his legs to deny Little before diving bravely at the feet of Chris Black to halt the midfielder's mazy run into the box.
Meadow have now lost four league games on the bounce at home. They are on their travels this weekend when they make the short trip along the coast to face Troon.
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