Motherwell striker Scott McDonald has hit out at the match officials that took charge of the Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton on Hogmanay, branding them “arrogant” and “deplorable”.

McDonald had no issue with referee Euan Anderson’s decision to dismiss teammate Lee Lucas for a two-footed lunge on Massimo Donati during the first half.

But the Aussie was involved in the game’s other main flashpoint, clashing with Accies substitute Gramoz Kurtaj in the second period, and he was disgusted by the way that the refereeing team handled the situation.

McDonald wound up on the deck but both players were cautioned, leading the forward to take aim in particular at assistant referee Stuart Stevenson – who was a yard or so away – for dismissing his appeals for an explanation.

“[Kurtaj] poked me in the eye,” McDonald said. “It's just one of those things. I was booked for simulation. Fair enough, if the referee wants to do that.

“The thing that I have to say about referees, they got the red card right so we can't complain, but in terms of trying to talk to them they were the worst I've had this year. The arrogance of them was incredible.

“In terms of the game itself, it wasn't too bad. In terms of trying to speak to them, the linesman was deplorable at times. Just awful. You don't mind them having a go back because you give them a bit. But when it comes to it, if you get asked a question, answer it. You're not asking much of them.

“They run away and tell you to shut up and get on with it. I asked him what he booked me for and he wouldn't tell me. I wanted to know why he'd booked me. I didn't understand. It happens. They didn't make it nice, throughout the game. I'm not sure I'll bother appealing. I'll leave it to [Motherwell general manager] Alan Burrows.”

McDonald taking the officials to task jarred conspicuously with the general tone around the Motherwell camp after Louis Moult had rescued a point for the 10-man outfit right at the death.

A point at the Superseal Stadium may not normally be something to celebrate too wildly, but the nature of how it was earned sparked scenes in the visiting end reminiscent of a trophy win.

And there is little doubt that the importance of not only the point that they gained, but the extra two points that they denied their rivals, was not lost on the jubilant Steelmen as they partied into the New Year.

“It was a bit like a cup final celebration,” McDonald admitted. “If you go into the winter break, having lost that, then they get a little bit closer.

“We were down to 10 men for the majority of the game but we worked hard. We created some chances. They were going to get chances too when you're trying to push up the park but they never killed it off. So the game was always there and we grew in confidence.

“We were fighting to the last minute trying to win every single ball. We won it back a couple of times before the cross came in so that just shows the desire of the team. Scoring that late, it almost felt like a win.”