Jim Goodwin believes his side were shortchanged by the officials after seeing Cammy MacPherson sent off and a pivotal handball missed in the lead up to St Johnstone ’s winner.
The Buddies boss admitted St Mirren were below their best again in Perth in what was a largely uneventful and forgettable match.
But he is adamant his side were undone by two controversial decisions which cost the visitors dearly.
Goodwin said: “The game had 0-0 written all over it, but it was a massive decision in the lead up to the goal.
“I hate talking about referees but Joe Shaughnessy cleared headed the ball on to Melamed’s arm, which was in an unnatural position way above his head.
“You’d be screaming for a penalty if that was a defender in the box, so why Steven McLean didn’t give it is beyond me.
“The sending off is another poor decision. The first yellow was border line, Cammy got plenty on the ball.
“You could argue his trailing leg caught him but there was no malice in it.
“The second one is a mistake. Cammy clearly won the ball but for whatever reason it was deemed another yellow card.
“We lost the game to two poor decisions.”
