Ayr United have slammed a Scottish FA call to uphold Daire O'Connor's controversial Inverness red card.
Furious Somerset chiefs claim they are "astounded" that their appeal against the winger's dismissal was chucked out last night.
Ayr say their view is backed up by "a number of current and retired Grade 1 officials," who they consulted before lodging their appeal.
O'Connor was sent packing by ref Scott Lambie during the first half of Saturday's Somerset defeat, sparking fury from United.
Inverness coach, Barry Wilson, was among those to brand the decision "harsh," but SFA blazers on their disciplinary panel have backed their man.
An Ayr statement this lunchtime read: "Ayr United are astounded by the decision of the Scottish FA’s disciplinary panel to reject the club’s claim of wrongful dismissal following the incident involving Daire O Connor in the match against Inverness at the weekend.
"Prior to submitting a claim, the club sought input from a number of current and retired Grade 1 officials to ensure the validity of the claim, and none advised that there was any likelihood of the original on field decision being upheld.
"Whilst the club accepts the decision of the panel is full and binding, it has written to the Scottish FA to share its disappointment that a panel decision was communicated 90mins before team sheets were due in on the day of a match as this does not appear to be standard practice elsewhere in the game.
"The club also seeks further clarity over the decision in an attempt to educate the players, staff and supporters on what can constitute Serious Foul Play given the evident differences of opinion throughout the game and awaits with interest the official reasoning being issued in due course before deciding if any further comment is appropriate at that stage.
"Most importantly, the entire club is behind Daire O'Connor through this process - the young man has - in the opinion of the club - been unfairly denied the opportunity to appear in two huge games for the team and the remainder of the squad will use this as motivation for the coming matches."
