Queen of the South assistant manager Sandy Clark was left gutted after his side's unbeaten run came to an end.
The Doonhamers were aiming to go six games without defeat but that run came to an end at the hands of Alloa Athletic who were the last team to beat the South at the start of February.
However, the game was shaped by a first half straight red for Ayo Obileye before Rhys McCabe was sent packing in the second period along with manager Allan Johnston.
Sandy said: “We’re hugely disappointed to lose the game.
“We’ve been on a good run and, to be fair, we didn’t start that well but we managed to score two goals. But we lost two poor goals as well.
“On the balance of play at that point we still felt there were goals in us. But the events that happened within the game – going down to 10 men and other decisions – went against us.
“But it’s not easy being a referee and I know how hard it is. They make mistakes the same as everybody else but I think some of the decisions were a major factor in the game.”
Greg Aitken was the referee at Palmerston on Saturday and it remains to be seen if the club will appeal the red cards for Obileye and McCabe.
Clark added: “I’ve known Greg a long time he’s a top referee.
“I don’t think he had his best game in the world today. No question about honesty and trying to make the right decision.
“We’ve looked at the red card for Ayo and he’s caught the boy’s toe and there’s a squeal. Does that impact the referee’s decision I don’t know? But the lad is up very quick and he deemed it to be a red card and that has a big effect on the game.
“In the second half we did well and still looked a threat with the pace we had. We defended better than we did with the first two goals we lost.
“When Greg looks back at it I think he made some mistakes. He might not agree with that.
“We’ll have a look at the incidents. That’s why it’s so hard for referees. You can look at it from three or four different angles and they all look different. He’s only got one chance to look at it and he has to go with that call.”
The loss brings an end to the South’s excellent run of form but the club is still very much in a play-off push.
The squad could be boosted by the return of Dan Pybus and Isaiah Jones from injuries towards the end of the season.
Sandy said: “We’re delighted with the way the boys have been and that’s the biggest factor. Today we’re so disappointed to lose.
“Izzy is down at Middlesbrough again. He’s had another scan and it’s a grade one going on a grade two but he’s going to be weeks not months.
“We might get him for the end of the season.
“Dan is further down the road so we’ll definitely get him back before the end of the season.”
