Derek McInnes was left frustrated that Ross County were not reduced to 10 men far earlier as Kilmarnock lost in the Highlands.
Ross Callachan was shown a yellow card in the first half for a lunge from behind on Ryan Alebiosu as Killie tried to counter-attack at pace.
There was also a questionable challenge from Staggies captain Jack Baldwin later on, before Callachan was eventually shown a second yellow for handball with just under 10 minutes to go in the match.
Despite their extra man, though, Kilmarnock still came away empty-handed after Owura Edwards’ late winning goal for County – but McInnes felt the situation could have been very different if Callachan had been sent off before half-time. “Callachan’s challenge is outrageous,” McInnes fumed. “It is a red card and, between four officials, they’ve got to see what I see. “It is two feet, off the ground, down the back of our boy’s trailing leg.