Warrenpoint Town were relegated from the Irish Premiership on Saturday after drawing 1-1 with Dungannon Swifts.
Warrenpoint were actually winning late in the game thanks to a 77th minute goal from Stephen Hughes. Victory would have kept them in the top tier of Northern Irish football and relegated Carrick Rangers instead.
In injury time, Dungannon won a corner. After the ball was headed clear, Warrenpoint's Jordan Dane challenged Dungannon's Cormac Burke for the ball. The two collided, leaving Dane writhing in pain. To most, it looked like a 50-50 challenge. Not to referee Ross Dunlop though - he pointed to the spot.
The decision received widespread condemnation.
What a dreadful decision to award a penalty against Warrenpoint to send them down do some refs do this to take the piss or ar they pathetic
— david henderson (@dvehendo) April 30, 2016
The penalty decision given against Warrenpoint today, which ultimately relegated them, was an absolute disgrace. They must be sick.
— NI Football Daily (@NIFootballDaily) April 30, 2016
For Warrenpoint to be relegated on that decision is shocking. Horrible end to a heroic effort.
— Niall McCoy (@McCoyNiall) April 30, 2016
Ross Dunlop's penalty award against Warrenpoint is the cherry on the top of one of the worst seasons of refereeing I can remember in the IL.
— Andrew Scullion (@scullionoflarne) April 30, 2016
It gave Dungannon an opportunity to rescue a point and relegate Warrenpoint in the process.
What followed was a series of comical non-reactions from the Warrenpoint players.
After keeper Johnny Parr brilliantly saved the penalty, no one followed in to prevent Dungannon players getting to the rebound. Parr made two further saves - unaided by his defenders as they stood around presuming a goal was a certainty - before the ball hit the back of the net.
