ARDEER Thistle boss Sean Kenney said a passive five minute spell cost his side the game against Greenock on Saturday - and not a poor refereeing display.

However, he did admit that while he believes Saturday’s official is “a good ref”, he felt he did “not have a good game”.

Thistle succumbed to a 3-1 defeat on their journey up the west coast, despite getting off to the perfect start 10 seconds in when Joe Young nipped in on a hopeful through-ball, and was cleared out by the Greenock defender.

The referee pointed to the spot, and Jack Loudon slotted it home with a minute on the clock.

Everything then began to unravel in the 24th minute; when goalkeeper McRonald parried an effort from the edge of the area, it was the ‘Nock who reacted first, as the ball was diverted home.

Only two minutes later, Greenock put together a slick passing move from a goal kick, before the ball was cut back leaving their striker with a tap in.

Kenney told the club’s social media: “In the space of five minutes the game’s turned on its head.

“We were really passive for that spell, guys running past us, things like that, things that are poor, things that aren’t good enough.”

Then came the game’s first red card on 40 minutes, with defender Andy McGregor penalised for elbowing an opponent moments after he was fouled himself.

Kenney refused to make excuses, adding: “At that point they’re 2-1 up, so no excuses there, whether it’s a red card or not I don’t know, from my angle it didn’t look like it.

“We’ve had to change things with 10 men, it’s hard, but the boys done well, they dug in.”

The game was then put out of sight on 70 minutes when McRonald parried a Greenock free kick, leaving attacker Duffy with the easiest of tap ins.

It was the game’s final goal, but not final action, as Ardeer substitute Reece Lapham saw red on 90 minutes for a comment he made to the opposition touchline.

Kenney said: “I’ve spoke to the ref about it, I couldn’t believe what he said he’s sent him off for.

“If it was anything out of order then I wouldn’t have stood for it, but that red card is an absolute joke.

"There’s serious stuff that needs stamped out that I will back everytime like racism, homophobia and that’s why I went to ask the ref what Reece had said because I wouldn’t dealt with him if he was out of line.

"But that is genuinely one of the worst red cards I’ve seen in my life and now he’ll miss an important game for us.

"It had no effect on the game as it was the last minute but it summed up a poor performance from the ref.

“There's no taking anything away from Greenock, they were the better team, and deserved the win.”