Referee Charlie Richmond had to be escorted from the field by police after enraging players and officials by showing 11 yellow cards and sending off three St Johnstone players in a game St Mirren won 2-1.
Both managers were in agreement that the number of cards shown by Richmond was unjustified.
St Johnstone opened the scoring in the seventh minute after hosts St Mirren had the opportunity to clear up an attack but failed to take it.
The ball broke to Chris Hay whose fiercely-struck shot was diverted onto the bar by Craig Hinchcliffe but Michael Moore raced in to nod the ball into the net.
Moore shot narrowly wide and Hay's angular drive brought out a good save from Hinchcliffe as the Perth Saints piled on the pressure.
All the home team offered by way of threat was a Kevin McGowne header from a Ricky Gillies free-kick which was easily gathered by Alan McGregor.
St Mirren equalised two minutes after the break. Simon Lapin turned trialist Steven Anderson on the left flank and crossed for John O'Neill to turn in the box and poke the ball past McGregor, despite having his shirt tugged by a desperate defender.
Moore still troubled St Mirren with his industry and pace but the sendings off mounted - Moore, Ed Malone and Sean Webb all went in the final 22 minutes - and substitute John Baird became the hero of the home crowd when he rose to meet a Kirk Broadfoot cross and looped a header over the despairing McGregor from eight yards.