Brown Ferguson scored for Stenhousemuir as they came from behind to hold nine-man Queen of the South to a draw.
The table-topping home team made it 1-0 after just three minutes when Danny Carmichael's superb cross was headed in at the back post by midfielder Mark Durnan.
The Doonhamers went down to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when Derek Young received a straight red card for a late challenge on Greg Ross.
Despite the reduced man power, the hosts extended their lead when Nicky Clark headed into the top corner from close range after 48 minutes.
The visitors made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when John Gemmell poked home from six yards out before Queens' Paul Burns fouled Bryan Hodge in the area two minutes later.
Stenny's Ferguson then slammed home the penalty that followed to draw his side level.
Substutute Lyle twice had chances to settle it for the Doonhamers before the home side's numbers were reduced further, Kevin Holt seeing red for a mis-timed tackle in the 90th minute of the game.
To rub salt into the wounds Queen's manager Johnston was sent to the stand by referee Hillard who by this time had totally lost it and left the field to a chorus of abuse from the home fans.
To quite honest this result was a travesty of justice with Queens by far the better team and on another day would have won by a barrowload.
However Johnston will have to drum into his players that this a taste of what's to come in this league and you must keep your discipline at all times even when coming to terms with incompetent referees.
Image Courtesy of www.qosfc.com