St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson revealed that Brann’s ‘time-wasting’ was the trigger for a late controversy that angered the Norwegians.
Leading 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League tie after Felix Myhre’s opener, the visitors believed the Paisley side should have played a throw-in back to them after they had put the ball out for a home player to receive treatment.
Shaun Rooney declined the invitation, however, and launched a Saints attack, with the throw indirectly leading to Toyosi Olusanya’s dramatic late equaliser as the match finished 1-1.
Asked to explain what had happened with the throw-in, Buddies manager Robinson said: ‘I asked the boys about it afterwards and they felt Brann were time-wasting and they were going down with cramp.
‘They’re 16 games into their season ... they maybe have to be fitter, I don’t know. We didn’t score directly from the throw.
‘To be alive in this tie is a fairytale from where this club has come from. We competed with a very good side. We can also be much, much better. We never gave up and it sets the tie up nicely.’
Brann coach Eirik Horneland played down the late flashpoint ahead of next week’s second leg in Norway, but several visiting club officials are thought to have voiced their displeasure.
Horneland said: ‘It was a big European game and there was a lot of adrenaline at the end. We lost a late goal and they scored a late goal. We have to accept it was a draw.’
Ex-Rangers player Ryan Jack was a spectator, triggering speculation he could join St Mirren
Olusanya is banned for the second leg after an unlucky booking for a collision with keeper Mathias Dyngeland.
Subjected to an exacting shift across the pitch for large parts of the tie by an attractive and efficent Brann side, Saints refused to buckle.
Ellery Balcombe conjured a string of superb saves to maintain parity until Brann’s best player, Myhre, struck 15 minutes from time.
There would have been few complaints at that outcome but St Mirren found a route back into the tie with Olusanya’s controversial equaliser in the 90th minute.