"We got off to a really good start. They were strong and got off to a high tempo, which we knew they would. We came into the game though and of course the two penalties and the sending off changed the game.
"I thought the referee and his assistant did very well with the decisions because they were penalties. He did particularly well with the second penalty because there was no doubt in my mind.
"The players felt we should have had a third penalty in the second half when Steve Jones was brought down. They said he was caught.
"I would have settled for a point with ten minutes left but not with 40 seconds left! It was a fantastic strike by Dean, he took the goal very well and it's great for him to get a hat-trick."
Meanwhile, Paul Jewell is very gracious in defeat and admits the referee was right...
"I've said to the players that we can only take the plusses from the game. It's a horrible way to lose but that's life.
"There could be other times this season when we are fortunate to get a result but I can't ask any more of my players today, they were terrific.
"We did well to get back to 2-2 by half time and we went out to win the game but it was a wonder strike that cost us really.
"The first one was definitely a penalty and the second was even more a penalty. We came back and the crowd were really good, they really got behind the team. I can't ask for any more from them. At 2-0 down it would have been easy to feel sorry for them, but we got back and we played some good stuff.
"It was an excellent performance by Lee McCulloch playing up front, and also by the rest of the team. Even before the first penalty we got at them. We got kicked in the teeth today though, but give credit to the players as to how they got back into it.
"We're still in the play-off positions. If the players give me that effort week in, week out, which they have done, then you will never hear me complain. You saw the reaction of the players at the end, they were on their knees."