Dundee boss Tony Docherty left media duties to his assistant Stuart Taylor after “confusion and disbelief” following the controversial 1-1 draw with Ross County at Dens Park.
Docherty, who has criticised several VAR calls this season, had been visibly furious after the Staggies were awarded a last-gasp penalty.
Dundee were leading 1-0 thanks to a Scott Tiffoney goal and seemed on course to secure their William Hill Premiership status.
But when Ryan Astley headed the ball onto team-mate Antonio Portales’ arm, referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot, a decision rubber-stamped by VAR.
Ronan Hale converted to salvage a draw for County and move them two points behind Dundee, meaning it will go right down to the wire this Sunday to determine who will be in the relegation play-off.
Dundee travel to already relegated St Johnstone and Ross County host Motherwell.
Taylor said: “The manager chapped the ref’s door but I don’t know what was said. He gave the lads a great speech and got everyone ready for Sunday’s game.
“I think it’s a great talking point for everyone again after the last couple of weeks so there’s no point me saying any more.
“There’s confusion and disbelief, but they’re a great bunch of boys and they’re robust.
“It’s in our hands at this moment in time, we’re in a good position and if we take care of Sunday’s game we’ll be fine.
“The positive for us is we asked the lads to be brave, be creative and they did that because we hemmed them in at times.”
Ross County boss Don Cowie heaped praise on his players for giving themselves a fighting chance to avoid finishing second bottom.
However, the 42-year-old admitted he did not see the incident that led to the penalty.
Cowie said: “I’m not sure, I didn’t see an infringement at the time so I wasn’t claiming because I didn’t see anything. I’ve not seen it from a really good angle.
“What will probably frustrate Dundee will be the manner – they win first contact and the ball is going out of the box.
“But his arm is out and at the letter of the law, it’s probably a penalty.
“I praised our players in the dressing room, we wanted the three points but going into the last game we’re still fighting.
“If we play like we did in the first half hour on Sunday… we were brave and aggressive, so if we replicate that and sustain it for longer it will give us a good chance.”
