Published Tuesday, 23 October 2012
David Jeffrey looks on as his team are beaten. (© Pacemaker)
The champions came from 2-0 down to draw level at the Showgrounds on Monday night before a dramatic late winner from Stephen Lowry condemned them to their fifth Irish Premiership defeat of the season.
Speaking to the Linfield website, a frustrated Jeffrey praised his players' efforts but said they should have had a "definite penalty".
He said: "I'm bitterly disappointed.
"I felt we should have had a definite penalty. I don't know how the referee and the linesman didn't see it. Those are basic decisions. It's yet another game where refereeing decisions have had a critical impact on the outcome."
Coleraine scored twice in the first half with goals from Darren Boyce and Curtis Allen in the 14th and 15th minutes, before Michael Carvill pulled one back for Linfield from a free kick.
Ryan Henderson equalised on 88 minutes and the Blues went looking for a winner, but were hit on the counter when Stephen Lowry broke free to seal a 3-2 victory for the Bannsiders.
The result leaves the home side second in the league while Linfield languish in eighth with just 15 points from 12 games, as pressure mounts on their boss.
Jeffrey admitted it will take hard work to turn their fortunes around.
"To get through this spell, we will have to keep working and believing, it's as simple as that," the manager said.
"We have achieved what we have achieved through hard work, lots of effort and honest commitment, as well as good play of course. The players will come through this."
Linfield are next in action on Saturday when they host Portadown at Windsor Park.