Derek McInnes played down any controversy over Kilmarnock’s winner as his side earned a precious victory over Dundee United at Rugby Park.
Marley Watkins headed home the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute to lift Killie up into ninth in the Scottish Premiership.
The United players were adamant that Watkins had fouled goalkeeper Jack Walton before nodding the ball over the line, but the goal would be allowed to stand.
The Rugby Park boss was surprised that there was any debate surrounding the decision to allow Watkins’ winner – instead insisting that Walton should have been stronger.
“The goal is scabby and it’s untidy from their point of view,” McInnes said.
“There’s nothing controversial about it, the keeper should be stronger.”
In recent weeks, Killie have failed to get their rewards for good performances but here they had to withstand long periods of pressure from the visitors.
Sam Dalby struck the crossbar with a second-half header and Glenn Middleton should have done better after finding himself bearing down on goal.
McInnes admits his team were second best for spells, though was delighted as they showed a different way to pick up the three points.
He added: “We’ve played so much better and not got anything from the game.
“I think Dundee United were better than us in the first half, they looked like a team that had taken confidence from where they are in the league.
“There are different ways of winning games. At this stage of the season and in the context of where we are, we showed so many aspects to get the job done.
“The result oversees everything, it’s a magnificent result and one that we were badly needing.”
United boss Jim Goodwin took a contrasting view to his Killie counterpart on the decisive goal.
After watching it back on multiple occasions, Goodwin was baffled that the VAR officials decided not to intervene.
“The real frustration is the manner of the goal we concede,” Goodwin said.
“I’ve watched it now from numerous different angles and I can’t understand how the guys in the VAR studio don’t rule that one out or at least ask the referee to come view the monitor.
“Jack Walton is trying to get off the ground and it’s impossible because the Kilmarnock forward’s arm is across his face before he heads it into the goal.
“It wasn’t the scoreline we were hoping for, if the game had finished 0-0 then I don’t think there would have been many complaints from myself or Derek.”
