Stockport manager Dave Challinor called the decision to allow Leyton Orient's opening goal to stand an "absolute shocker" in an eventful and controversial League One play-off semi-final first leg at Brisbane Road.
Charlie Kelman poked in the contentious first-half goal from six yards, despite appearing to be two yards offside as he collected an Omar Beckles flick-on.
He then scored an 88th-minute penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw for the home side after Oliver Norwood's spot-kick and Fraser Horsfall's powerful header had put County ahead.
Challinor was still fuming after the final whistle, telling BBC Radio Manchester: "Massive kudos to my players for reacting in a positive way to what is the worst decision I have seen in 15 years of management, in what is the biggest game in my managerial career.
"That [first goal] is an absolute shocker. They're supposed to be the best of our group to be refereeing these games. If that's the best, as players, staff, managers, we're quite right to be concerned.
"I get why there is a scramble to ultimately get robots involved and stop human error, because that can't happen."
Orient head coach Richie Wellens told BBC London: "The first goal I have heard is offside. It's difficult for me to say from where I am, but people have told me it is offside - and if he is offside, just give it offside. We would rather get a genuine goal.
"I've said it all season that the referees have a huge impact on games at this level."
Wednesday's second leg at Edgeley Park has some way to go to live up to the drama of the opening 90 minutes between two of the division's most in-form teams.
Orient finished the regular season with six straight wins to claim sixth place. County ended it eight matches unbeaten, winning seven, on their way to securing third spot.
Play-off history, though, was firmly on Orient's side. They had not lost any of their five previous play-off home games.
Stockport, meanwhile, were still waiting for their first away success, having failed to ever win a play-off game on the road in six previous attempts.
And despite enjoying the better of the opening exchanges, County found themselves behind.
They could only half clear Jamie Donley's free-kick and after the officials failed to spot Beckles' headed flick to Kelman, his goal was allowed to stand.
The visitors, targeting back-to-back promotions and a return to the second tier for the first time since 2002, continued to fashion chances after the break.
Moxon's stunning strike clipped the bar before County were awarded a penalty after Orient defender Rarmani Edmonds-Green handled a cross from the dangerous Fevrier.
Experienced midfielder Norwood confidently converted it and five minutes later Stockport edged ahead when Horsfall powerfully headed in Norwood's free-kick from five yards.
Image source, PA Media
