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Cape Town - All Blacks captain Kieran Read has questioned the decision not to award the hosts a late and potentially decisive penalty after the series with the Lions ended in a 1-1 draw.
The incident occurred after Owen Farrell's penalty levelled the score at 15-15. From All Blacks replacement flyhalf Aaron Cruden's kick-off, Lions fullback Liam Williams contested in the air and knocked the ball backwards only for Lions replacement hooker Ken Owens to gather it from an offside position.
Referee Roman Poite had originally ruled that it was offside, but after consultation with the television match official downgraded his decision to an accidental offside.
"In my view it is a penalty and I think he ruled it correctly from the start," Read told Sky Sports.
"I guess when you bring in replays, and everything, you will get different decisions.
"That was not why we didn't win the game, it was an accumulation of everything throughout the game.
"It was just one of those that goes against you and you have to deal with it."
Asked how he was feeling after the game, Read said: "Pretty hollow to be honest.
"You walk away with a draw, it doesn't really mean much.
"I'll look back on this in the future with a bit more pride, look back on the series as pretty well fought-out.
"Two teams couldn't be split so that's the way it goes."
Meanwhile, Read, who was making his 100th appearance for the All Blacks, believes his side were just not accurate enough with their execution.
"There was a lot of endeavour and hard work from the boys, perhaps we were just trying too hard," he added.
"We wanted to put in a great performance and it just didn't click for us.
"Really proud of the lads, we stuck at it. It is hard to know what you're feeling right now."
