Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter says Saturday’s North Belfast derby turned on a “handbags” moment and a throw-in that should never have been at Solitude.
Cliftonville ran out 3-1 winners over their nearest rivals to leapfrog Linfield and up to second in the Danske Bank Premiership with nine games left to play in the title race.
But it was midfielder Declan Caddell’s red card midway through the first half and the home side’s second goal that exercised Baxter’s mind most on the final whistle.
Caddell was given his marching orders in the wake of a lunging challenge that sparked an ugly melee in front of the dugouts which the midfielder also played a central role in.
A number of Cliftonville substitutes and members of both benches ended up on the pitch as things threatened to boil over.
Referee Tony Clarke allowed the incident to calm down before producing a red card for Caddell who confirmed last week that he will retire at the end of the season.
“I was watching it from afar and honestly, it was handbags at dawn,” insisted Baxter. “We’re all here to watch a North Belfast derby in front of a full house and it spoils the game.
“The problem is when Cliftonville’s substitutes are all on the football pitch confronting and jumping on Declan Caddell.
“You have to be disappointed when you lose a player 25 minutes into a match and for me it’s a yellow card. Within 25 minutes it’s 11 against 10 and it ruins the game."
While Caddell’s red card was a flashpoint, Baxter was more frustrated with Cliftonville’s second goal on the brink of the half-time break.
Josh Robinson had just equalised for the 10-men when Ryan Curran latched onto a quick Levi Ives throw-in to steer an angled shot past Jonny Tuffey.
“The ball was kicked out 15 yards further up the pitch from where the throw-in was taken,” said Baxter. “I’m more annoyed about that.
“The referee is looking at the ball that has just gone out of play, everybody has stopped for the same reason and there’s a throw-in taken in the incorrect position.
“Their player runs through and scores. You have to ask them (the match officials). I don’t understand what’s going on right now.
“It’s up to them to watch that back and have a look at it. I asked the question of them at half-time and I’m dismissed as if I’m the stupid one. You need to ask them the questions.”
Cliftonville, who lie a point off new leaders Glentoran, had taken an early lead through Jonny Addis while Ives added a third 11 minutes from time.
“For periods we didn’t look like a team with 10 men but once they got the third goal, the game was finished,” said Baxter.
“I spoke to the team after the game and told them that we played really well and a couple of decisions went against us which is disappointing.
“But take nothing away from Cliftonville. The games between us have been very tight this season - that's now one win each and a draw - but they took their goals when they appeared and got the victory.”
