Aberdeen forward Adam Rooney has told referee Steven McLean he was wrong to rule out his League Cup semi-final goal against Dundee United.
The Tangerines ended the Dons’ hopes of retaining the trophy by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Hampden – the sixth time in a row Aberdeen have been beaten at the national stadium.
Impressive Dons debutant Donervorn Daniels gave Derek McInnes’ side the lead early in the second half but goals from Callum Morris and Nadir Ciftci ensured United booked their place in the final on March 15.
Ciftci, who netted the winner six minutes from time, will miss the final after picking up his second booking of the competition on Saturday.
But before the Turkish forward’s late goal, referee McLean chalked off a Rooney header for a foul on Butcher, much to the Irishman’s disbelief.
He said: “I’ve no idea why it was disallowed. The referee said it was for a push, but that seemed pretty soft to me.
“We were both pushing each other and there was a lot of holding going in the box. It was six of one and half a dozen of the other so I’m disappointed with it.
“From where I was their second goal looked two or three yards offside.
“It was very disappointing to let them back in it and then to let them go and get the winner.
“We were desperate to keep the trophy.
“You saw the celebrations we had in Aberdeen after winning the cup last year. Our supporters have been great and we had 21,000 again down here with us.
“Hopefully we can keep giving them something back, kick on in the league and finish off the season in style.”
Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Brown will not enjoy watching the replays of Ciftci’s winner, but Rooney said no one in the Dons dressing room was blaming Brown for the goal.
He added: “I didn’t know anyone was pointing the finger at him. There were a lot of players in there, especially the second one, where there were two lads standing right in front of him.
“Everyone was just feeling disappointed to go from a winning position to losing it, especially in a semi-final.
“It happened to us last season against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup and it’s not something to enjoy. I don’t want to experience it again.”