Southampton manager Nigel Adkins was furious with referee Mark Haywood after his side were held 1-1 by Cardiff in the npower Championship at St Mary's.
With leaders West Ham thrashed 5-1 at Ipswich the Saints could have gone level on points but had to settle for a point after being held by the Bluebirds.
Southampton needed a second half penalty by Rickie Lambert - his 19th goal of the season - to cancel out Craig Conway's 36th-minute opener for Cardiff.
Haywood's penalty award for Southampton, 11 minutes into the second half, was a case of third time lucky.
"I've watched the video and we had two stonewall penalties turned down before that," claimed Adkins.
"There was no question Lambert was manhandled in the box in the first 10n minutes and early in the second half we ought to have got another when Adam Lallana was fouled on the byline.
"That said, it was a good point and I thought we played some good football in the second half and created some good chances.
"We could have won, but with West Ham being beaten so heavily, there's still plenty for us - and Cardiff - to play for."
Conway, who scored Cardiff's last minute winner against Portsmouth a fortnight ago, fired the visitors in front nine minutes before half-time.
Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davies, under pressure at the near post, failed to get in a firm punch to beat away Peter Whittingham's inswinging corner and Conway fired home from 12 yards.
Southampton's title challenge had stuttered after consecutive home defeats by Bristol City and Leicester, which followed a year-long unbeaten run at St Mary's.
Although they called the tune for long periods, Cardiff's tall and imposing defence comfortably handled affairs without goalkeeper David Marshall being unduly troubled.
Southampton's equaliser came from the penalty spot 11 minutes into the second half.
Lallana's short cross from the left side of the penalty area struck Kevin McNaughton's hand and Lambert blasted the resulting penalty into the top right corner.
Marshall denied Lallana at the near post late on but Cardiff had few worrying moments.
With 30 minutes remaining, Saints sent on Japanese International Tadanari Lee for his Championship debut.
Lee got a toe-end to a back header by Lambert but Cardiff's numerically sound rearguard generally snuffed him out.
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay was delighted with a draw.
"We locked horns with a side that has led the Championship for much of the season and came away with a creditable result," he said.
"We created as many chances as they did and could have won it.
"It was an entertaining game in which we shaped up well, particularly defensively, where I thought we were very sound.
"I was particularly pleased with Stephen McPhail, playing in front of the back four," he said.
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