Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-0 Partick Thistle: Ian McCall savages ref as 10-man leaders lose
- Published
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall described referee Scott Lambie as "way out of his depth for this level of football" after defeat in Inverness.
Caley Thistle move level on points with the Scottish Championship leaders after Billy Mckay's second-half winner.
The visitors had been reduced to 10 men after midfielder Kyle Turner's studs-first tackle just before half-time.
But it was the denial of a penalty for a 26th-minute challenge on midfielder Ross Docherty that angered McCall.
Thistle had Aaron Muirhead and Kevin Holt to thank for goalline clearances at opposite ends of the game, while a couple of saves from visiting goalkeeper David Mitchell looked to have denied the hosts until Mckay drilled home from 12 yards.
It means the Glasgow side are now only top virtue of goal difference after the hosts stretched their unbeaten run to five games.
Queen's Park, who are one point behind, could go top when they visit Ayr United, who could draw level with the top two themselves, on Saturday.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Billy Dodds: "I was really happy with the first half, but we got sloppy in the second half I thought, despite them being down to 10 men. I asked for patience and we'd get our chance and they showed it. What a finish from Billy Mckay too.
"They still went at it with 10 men, but I thought we deserved our victory. I'd have liked more goals, but tactically that's what I wanted and I got it."
Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall: "There were two pivotal moments. The penalty kick's the clearest you'll ever see. Docherty has his toe over the ball then he's taken out.
"I can understand the sending off, yes, but it's a 50-50. It's very, very soft. Second half, I was delighted with how we defended, but the referee, I don't think I've seen him before, looked way out of his depth for this level of football."
Speaking to BBC Scotland's Off the Ball on Saturday, McCall apologised to Lambie.
"My comments after the game were verging on bullying, a "quality" I abhor," he said. "I regret these comments and they do not reflect well on me or my great club. I will be apologising to Scott face to face in due course."