McGhee fumes at penalty denial March 13 2008
Motherwell boss Mark McGhee was furious as his side were denied a clear-cut penalty at a crucial time in their 1-0 Clydesdale bank Premier League defeat at Hibernian.
Ross McCormack appeared to be bundled over from behind by Chris Hogg in the opening minute of the second half but referee Willie Collum waved play on.
And Hibs took advantage six minutes later when Colin Nish strolled through the heart of the Motherwell defence before slotting home.
"It was a very close game between two closely-matched teams," McGhee said.
"We got the first breakthrough when we had an absolute stonewall penalty. I thought that would have won us the game but we didn't get it and they won the game.
"I thought it was an assault," McGhee joked.
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen agreed it could have been a penalty but felt his side merited victory.
"It might have been but the referee didn't see that," he said. "The referee didn't see a two-handed push on Nish either. He's a human being and occasionally we need to understand that."
Hibs moved two points behind Motherwell in the race for a UEFA Cup place, while Dundee United moved above the Steelmen on goal difference with a point at Celtic.
Gretna's future could hand United a further boost as they would lose less points than their rivals if the bottom club go bust but Paatelainen is happy to be in the mix.
The Finn added: "Motherwell are above us and it's a great scalp - they are a very good football side with plenty of movement.
"Our defenders did really well against three strikers. I'm sure they are unhappy, they created a couple of chances and we had a little bit of luck, but we could have scored one or two goals more."
Paatelainen praised Nish for a "great goal" but McGhee was disappointed his defence showed the striker inside.
Nish twice turned inside debutant Bob Malcolm before another shimmy inside the box allowed him to net.
"The goal was poor," McGhee said. "I preach all the time you have got to show people outside and leave them something to do. If you show them inside you give them a chance of a shot.
"I think at that time Bob was starting to tire, he stumbled and the pitch beat him a wee bit."