Morton seal play-off place but refereeing controversies anger Dunfermline and St Mirren managers

Controversial refereeing decisions are not just the domain of the Premiership with St Mirren aggrieved as they fell back to second bottom after losing 3-2 at Dundee United and Dunfermline claiming that Falkirk striker Myles Hippolyte dived for a penalty as the Bairns won 2-1.

United got their nose sin front at Tannadice on seven minutes when Thomas Mikkelson volleyed home but the Paisley men were aggrieved the goal was allowed to stand after a waist-high challenge on Gary Mckenzie. The defender did have the satisfaction of heading in an equaliser before half-time before Tony Andreu cracked home a pass from a Willo Flood free-kick. The Saints brushed off that second disappointment to level with four minutes to go through Josh Todd but Blair Spittal found the net in the final minute.

St Mirren manager Jack Ross said: “I thought that we were getting a point with the late equaliser. The first goal we lost was a mistake by the referee.” United manager Ray Mckinnon said: “We showed a lot of determination to get the win after being pulled back so late.”

There was also angst in Fife as Falkirk kept hold of second spot despite going behind to Nicky Clark’s effort ten minutes from half-time. The visitors levelled eight minutes after the interval when Aaron Muirhead slammed home a penalty after Hippolyte had tumbled over in a challenge with Pars goalkeeper Sean Murdoch.

Home substitute Lewis Martin was sent off three minutes after coming on for a foul on John Baird and Nathan Austin headed in with 20 minutes left.

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston said: “It was never a penalty as their player dived. The decision changed the game and cost us the points.”

Morton clinched their play-off place with a 1-1 draw with Ayr United at Cappielow. Lawrence Shankland flicked the Greenock men ahead before Craig Moore thumped home an equaliser.

Dumbarton gave their survival hopes a boost with a 2-1 success at Queen of the South. Stephen Dobbie shot the Doonhamers into the lead but Sam Stanton and Robert Thomson goals won the game.