Jack Ross was left doubly frustrated after Hibs blew a chance to increase their lead in third place in the 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.
The Easter Road boss’ afternoon was summed up when he talked his way into rookie ref David Dickinson’s book for protesting what he thought was a foul on Christian Doidge deep into injury time.
It came just a day after Ross called for another summit between managers and referees to help defuse a “them and us mentality”.
In the end Aberdeen only clawed a single point back in the battle for third after drawing with Hamilton.
But Ross said: “Really frustrated. We were the better team, second half I thought we were excellent dominating a good side in their own stadium.
“So it’s a day of frustration not taking at least a point.
“If I deserved to get booked, I deserve to get booked. But what I would say is that in empty stadiums I hear players saying a whole lot worse to referees regularly through a game.
“But managers are obviously I guess held accountable to a different standard with less leeway for what they can say.
“I think when you get to injury time and you’re frustrated that there’s no award of an obvious free kick at the edge of the box the referee might understand a manager getting frustrated.
“But so be it. I got a couple of explanations, one out on the pitch that he didn’t think it was a foul and inside he explained playing advantage. So it might get decided now what one it was.
“I know people might not think it a big deal but it was a pretty obvious free kick for a foul on Christian Doidge for me.
“At that time in the game it’s a chance for us to have a shot on goal or put the ball in the box.
“I’m not perfect, the officials aren’t perfect. But I just think there could be an understanding that you get frustrated.
“Sometimes I’ll be right and sometimes I’ll be wrong, same with them.
“You wanted to get a platform in the game away from home. To be behind after the first half, I don’t think any team deserved to be ahead and we probably missed the best chance with Joe Newell.
“It’s important for us to regroup again and I have to remind the players they are still in the driving seat to finish in third place.
“It’s important we go and win. I’ve been critical and honest when we fall below standards but that didn’t happen there - that second half was probably the most St Johnstone have been camped in their own final third in a lot of home games this season.”
