Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara chose his words carefully but he was left dismayed by events at Inverness last night.
United crashed out of the League Cup to a Ross Draper goal in the final minute of extra-time after edging ahead in normal time thanks to a superb strike from Keith Watson.
It was the sending-off of striker Nadir Ciftci in the turmoil that followed a Richie Foran foul on Gary Mackay-Steven that was to prove their downfall.
They were left to fight on after Ciftci had been ruled to have committed a violent conduct offence on Graeme Shinnie of the home side.
“It is frustrating. There is a sense of disappointment and a bit of anger,” said McNamara. “Tonight decisions went against us.”
McNamara continued: “I didn’t see anything (of the Ciftci alleged offence). I saw the incident when GMS went down and I thought the assistant referee (Gavin Harris) had seen it as well but didn’t act on it.
“There was a melee after that with the players. It is disappointing (that) they all got involved and I think they were sticking up for each other.
“But I said to the players before the game about the importance of discipline, especially when playing Inverness up here.
“I said (to them) don’t get involved with them and to do things properly because things like that can turn a game and it did.
“I saw Foran, whether he did it or not, he caught GMS from the side. Everybody then got involved in it.”
Asked if Ciftci felt hard done by to have gone off, McNamara replied: “Yes.”
He added: “The interpretation was violent conduct and I will let you all see for yourself.
“I am going to keep my own counsel because we got enough bookings today without me following suit.”
Asked if he thought, given that there were eight United men booked as well as the ordering-off, it was a dirty game, McNamara answered: “No.”
As for losing to the last-gasp goal, the manager added: “We didn’t get the main decision and it changed the game.
“But the players showed great spirit and fitness to go so far with 10 men and it has taken a set-piece and a late goal in injury time to beat us.”
ICT assistant Maurice Malpas did think Ciftci should have gone.
He said: “The guy was having a go at everybody.
“He had Graeme Shinnie by the throat so I think he got what he deserved.”