Leicester coach Richard Cockerill felt his side's 30-25 win over Northampton was soured by Alesana Tuilagi's dismissal.
Saints left smarting by incident before Agulla's match-winning try
Leicester coach Richard Cockerill and opposite number Jim Mallinder were both unhappy with the officials after the Tigers' 30-25 win over Northampton.
A see-saw East Midlands showdown at Welford Road went the way of the home side thanks to winger Horacio Agulla's late score.
However both teams finished the Aviva Premiership contest with 14 men after Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi and Saints flanker Tom Wood were red-carded in the first half.
Chris Ashton tackled Tuilagi into touch by his hair, sparking a touchline brawl. However, Cockerill believes his player was unfortunate to be given his marching orders having not actually thrown a punch.
"You have to be a little bit careful, Ashton dropped a shoulder into Geordan Murphy after a kick and the tackle on Alesana, he's dragged him by his hair into touch," he told
ESPN.
"I don't think there was a lot going on involving Alesana at all and he got the red card, we'll have to take a look and review it.
"He could miss Europe next week, which is massive for us on a massive call from the referee - Alesana hasn't thrown a punch, so what's he been sent off for?
"It's disappointing because I think the game was spoilt from that point. I've not seen all the angles but a yellow card for whoever they wanted to blame is enough there."
Opportunities
At least Cockerill could enjoy the final result, even if the home team made hard work of it after letting slip a 23-11 lead.
A second-half rally from the Saints saw them move 25-23 in front, only for Agulla to cross with three minutes to play.
"It was enjoyable when Benny Youngs scored and we were 12 points up, but then we went to sleep and against a quality side with really dangerous players we got punished," Cockerill said.
"That was disappointing but fair play to the lads, they kept playing and took their opportunity at the end to win it."
Like his counterpart, Mallinder also had reason to curse the officials after they missed Geordan Murphy's barge on Ben Foden which helped create the gap for the match-winning try.
He too felt refere Wayne Barnes and his assistants could have been a little more lenient in the punishments handed out following the first-half brawl.
"For the last try Ben Foden being blocked was one of a few examples," Mallinder said.
"It was always going to be a tough ask to come here and win. Going down to 14 men didn't help matters, it was one of those games that could have gone either way - two quality sides.
"The sendings-off I thought were much to do with the rivalry, the lads were up for it - I thought yellow cards and settle it down would probably have been a better decision there."
