AUCHINLECK Talbot manager Tommy Sloan has slammed referee Calum Scott after he sent off hat-trick hero Graham Wilson in the dying seconds of their 3-2 win over Cumnock.

The Nock had fought back through a Paul Burns brace to lead 2-1 early in the second half at Beechwood Park before Wilson earned his side the points.

Striker Wilson was sent off for a second yellow card late on after it appeared he was fouled whilst trying to waste time.

After the match, Sloan said: “To me, it’s ridiculous, it’s just ridiculous. It’s a foul. Graham goes down to make sure he gets the foul, he’s been fouled.

“It’s a push in the back, he’s went down and the ref’s said it’s simulation or whatever it is.

“Sean’s [McIlroy] actually done the same thing there – and it’s less of a foul. It’s just one of those decisions.”

Wilson himself was left bemused by the decision but didn’t let it take the shine off his hat-trick. He said: “I can’t believe that’s a sending off. I can’t believe I got sent off for that. It’s a foul all day, I’ve got a dead leg.

“I will try and get answers off him [the referee] but you can’t say too much because they just report you.

“It doesn’t put a dampener on it. I’ve got a good scoring record against Cumnock so I’m quite happy to keep that up too.

“Being an ex-Cumnock player, it’s always good to score against them, especially when the fans are giving you pelters.”

New Nock boss Peter Leonard couldn’t have asked for a worse start to his tenure when Wilson scored inside 90 seconds. However, it almost turned into a dream debut thanks to Burns’ brace.

Leonard, pictured above, said: “I’m very disappointed from the point of view that we went 2-1 up. The confidence has gotten eroded by the silly mistakes that we make. We knew Wilson was going to be a big threat all day long.

“We didn’t manage him. He gets the second goal, Ally gets a hand to it and slips going for it and if your lucks not in, your lucks not in.

“I’ve got to give credit to the boys. Considering the amount of bodies that were missing today – I think we had five out – the effort they have put in was fantastic.

“I thought maybe a draw would have been a fair result based on the balance of play.”

Nock goalscorer Burns summed up the feeling in the away dressing room after the match. He said: “It’s disappointing obviously. We thought we deserved something out the game but it just wasn’t to be.

“It seems to be the case when we play them. We more than match them but, for some reason or another, they always seem to come away with a victory against us.

“In the time I’ve been here, we’ve won one game against them and maybe picked up one draw as well so, from that point of view, it’s disappointing.”