Joey Barton believes Bristol Rovers' 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the Mem on Tuesday hinged on an incorrect offside call against Gas striker John Marquis.
The Owls went two in front in the first half, with Barry Bannan and Akin Famewo profiting from errors at the back, but Barton's side hit back immediately after half time through Aaron Collins. Then with 10 minutes to play, Sam Finley's shot was turned home by substitute Marquis in the area, only for the assistant's flag to be raised.
Barton and his staff have the benefit of almost immediate video replays via a screen in the dugout and he believes the evidence shows his striker was clearly onside.
"I don’t think there was much in the game," Barton said. "You are reliant on the officials to get major decisions right and, unfortunately, tonight the linesman has had a guess, as they do at the level.
"I was worried when I saw that referee, every time I get him he does something barmy, that ref. I’m not really putting that on his toes, the linesman has only got one job to do and it’s disappointing when they guess.
"Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t. If we score that there, there is only one team looking likely to go and win the game.
"Credit to our lads. We’ve technically got nothing to play for in our season, but I think everyone who was at the game tonight can see the lads had a right go in the second half and with a bit better officiating, we would have drawn the game if not gone on and pushed on to try and win it."
The Rovers manager later received a yellow card from referee Josh Smith for showing his frustration at a decision in the closing stages, in which the third-placed Owls clung on and kept their automatic promotion hopes alive.
"We get the benefit of having a replay instantly," Barton continued. "If we have VAR, it’s a goal. He’s a good yard or two onside.
"The linesman has got one job to do, looking across the line, and I know it’s tough for them without the benefit of the replay.
"You speak to them at the end, just to get them to accept they have made a mistake, but they don’t. They are a law unto themselves at this level and it cost us.
"Thankfully, we’re not chasing automatic promotion or a play-off spot because the mistake could have been felt a lot more.
"We’re disappointed, but we can’t give ourselves mountains to climb all the time."
The Gas remain 15th in League One, with their place in the division almost mathematically assured, save for an inconceivable goal-difference swing, after defeats for Cambridge United and Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.
Barton admits his side were culpable for the defeat, with both Wednesday goals stemming from mistakes at the back.
"I think you have to give Barry Bannan a helluva lot of credit," he added. "To beat James Belshaw, it must’ve been a helluva strike. I wasn’t that side and I didn’t expect to see it in the net, but you know Barry’s got that quality. It’s difficult when someone hits the ball that well.
"The second goal was preventable. I felt we should have dealt with long throw that came in the box just before and we didn’t and there was a bit of confusion in there. We should have dealt with that as a team better.
"We’re 2-0 down so we make a few changes at half time and we score early and you think the Gasheads are with us and we’re getting back in it.
"We get the equaliser, but the officials, in the context of the game, make a big error and that cost us mounting a comeback and possibly winning the game."
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