Mark Kerr took a pop at Robbie Neilson’s touchline behaviour after Hearts ended Ayr’s unbeaten home run thanks to a dubious second half penalty.
The Jambos stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to 12 points after edging a battle at sodden Somerset.
Liam Boyce's 47th minute spot kick proved the difference. But Ayr boss Kerr was less than impressed with the penalty award - and the behaviour of the opposite dug out.
Neilson was booked by Steven McLean for mouthing off in the first half and was seen in the ref’s ear as he made his way off at the interval.
Moments into the second half came the flashpoint as Ayr skipper Jack Baird was adjudged to have handled inside the box.
Replays showed Baird sliced the ball onto his own hand - with the new handball laws deeming that no to be a foul.
But Boyce smashed home the spot kick to secure three points.
Afterwards Kerr said: “I have only seen it quickly but it doesn’t look like a penalty, it’s not great.
“I just think the behaviour on the side before that, I don’t think it influenced the referee because any handball seems to be given just now, but it is hard to take.
“It would be unfair on the referee to say he was influenced by that but sometimes you think when you behave like that it would go against you - but it has actually worked for them.”
Neilson though was adamant the penalty call was spot on.
And the Hearts boss claims his side had a point to prove to BBC bosses too.
Neilson said: “People talk about rule changes but if the ball gets delivered from 40 yards and hits the boy’s hand it’s a penalty - no matter if it comes off his thigh or toe first.
“If it gets hit from two or three yards it’s a different story. The way the players reacted tells a story.
“It’s massive to get Friday night wins. We spoke before the game asking, 'why is BBC taking Hearts at Ayr United on a Friday night?' It’s because they expect us to get beaten.
“I told them we have to show we are good enough to go and handle that and get a result.
“We did that. Now it puts pressure on the teams that play on Saturday and have to catch up.”
Explaining his booking Neilson said: “It was a young fourth official. Maybe his first game on TV. He’s maybe not understanding the intensity on the touchline when you are going for a title. I spoke to Stephen at half time and things got better in the second half.”
Ayr survived an early scare when Boyce fell in the box under pressure from Corrie Ndaba.
Neilson was raging as McLean waved play on and TV replays suggested the Jambos boss had good reason.
Minutes later Craig Gordon’s sloppy pass was picked up by Tom Walsh. His cutback should have been buried by Andre Wright but Mihai Popescu came to the rescue.
It was a heart stopping moment for the Jambos and if that gave Neilson palpitations then the sound of a huge banger thrown from outside the ground exploding above Somerset moments later wouldn’t have helped.
Neilson talked himself into McLean’s book on half-time for one fiery outburst too many and the debate continued after the whistle.
If that banger hadn’t given Hearts a rocket up the backside Neilson’s half-time team talk seemed to do the trick.
Within two minutes the Jambos were ahead, albeit in controversial circumstances.
Andy Halliday’s flighted ball into the box was hooked onto his own hand by Baird and McLean pointed to the spot.
It was harsh on the skipper but Boyce didn’t care and fired in his 11th goal of the season.
Neilson handed debuts to both his deadline-day signings in 66 minutes as Aaron McEneff and Gervane Kastaneer replaced Armand Gnanduillet and Gary Mackay-Steven.
Popescu’s 12-yard shot rifled off Kastaneer as it looked destined for the top corner before the latter blazed over.
Ayr were screaming for their own penalty in injury time when Mark McKenzie’s shot was blocked by Stephen Kingsley although replays showed it struck the Jambos man on the chest.
