Partick Thistle midfielder Blair Spittal was relieved that the horrific blunder by referee Barry Cook and his assistant, Jordan Stokoe, in failing to award a clear goal to team-mate Kris Doolan did not cost his side three points – but he claims that their gaffe could still deny them promotion.

The Jags went on to beat Morton 1-0 at Firhill even though both officials somehow failed to spot that the striker’s shot had hit the underside of the crossbar and the back of the net before bouncing back on to the field of play.

When a Morton defender then booted the ball off the pitch in frustration, Mr Stokoe signalled for a goal-kick. The amazement of everyone present was ramped up further when Mr Cook over-ruled him by awarding Thistle a throw-in instead.

“Thankfully, it didn’t affect the result or there would have been a far bigger reaction afterwards,” said Spittal.

“You just hope it doesn’t come down to goal difference at the end of the season; you never know what will happen but what’s done is done and you can’t change it.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. You could tell by everyone’s reaction and you could also clearly see it was a goal but the linesman never saw it.

“I don’t know how but it was a mad few moments. The only explanation we got was that he didn’t see it. Their boy then punted the ball out of the park but the ref didn’t see that either.

“I took the corner so I had the perfect view of Kris’s shot. I was just admiring what a finish it was – and I was looking straight across to the linesman at the opposite side.

“He had the same view as me and I clearly saw it hitting the back of the net but these sort of decisions happen. The ref didn’t come in to the dressing room afterwards.”

Thistle are currently seventh in the Championship table, only three points behind leaders Ross County but with goal difference separating the four teams immediately above them.

“It’s been a mixed bag for us so far this season,” Spittal admitted. “We have been decent at home but we need to sharpen up away from home. We lost early goals at Ayr and Tannadice and we need to be better than that. “