Shotts Bon Accord boss John McKeown feels a rash penalty decision cost his side a share of the spoils in their top of the table clash at Arthurlie.
Gary Carroll had put Arthurlie 1-0 up before Scott Faulds equalised approaching half-time, but The Bonny ended up suffering a 2-1 defeat after their hosts netted a controversial 59th minute penalty after Martin Shiels was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box.
And McKeown, whose side still lead Arthurlie at the top of West of Scotland League Conference A by two points having played three games more, said: "It's a rash decision from the referee and even guys on their [Arthurlie's] side thought it was soft.
"Martin Shiels turns inside the middle of the park and gets robbed of the ball. He chases back to make up for it and gets side on side with the boy.
"Has he dangled his leg a wee bit? I don't know, but there's no contact and the boy has flung himself down, smartly.
"He asked the question of the referee. He's a young guy - a decent guy who will give you time and speak to you about things - and he's fallen for it.
"I think it was a very rash decision, so that was disappointing but we never did enough ourselves to win the game.
"The penalty is no excuse. We didn't do enough to win the game, but a draw would have been a fair result."
The fate of the title is very much in Arthurlie's hands now with half of the season already complete, but McKeown won't be giving up hope they will still be top of the tree when all is said and done.
He added: "Arthurlie are in a good position and they'll feel confident now - and so they should be.
"But it will be a long hard winter with Covid and things, so you just never know what will happen.
"I won't be giving up on it and I said to the boys if any of them feel like giving up on it then they can go.
"We will keep fighting. We've been brilliant so far this season and the last time we lost was 10 games ago when we lost to Craigmark, so we just need to go on a wee run again
"Arthurlie are a very good side, there's no denying that, so it will be tough but we won't be giving up hope."
This Saturday Shotts play host to Girvan, kick-off 1.30pm at Hannah Park.
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