Yet as Andy Thorn, the visitors' manager proudly asserted, that did not open the floodgates.
The visitors' manager, Dave Jones, accused Cole of trying to get Purse dismissed, a charge denied by the striker.
The visitors' manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, was sent off for excessive protests after the half-time whistle finally blew.
The visitors' manager Karl Robinson said: "The officials cost us, his goal was onside - they know that, they understand that and they know they made an error".
Now, back inside the stadium, along the concrete corridor and into the media area, a security guard appeared and warned the visitors' manager that it wouldn't be easy to get out.
"If I can't change it around during the summer and get some good lads in I wouldn't want to come back," said the visitors' manager, who omitted José Bosingwa and Adel Taarabt from his squad.
John Pemberton, the visitors' manager, began his playing career as a junior at Old Trafford before going on to Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Sheffield United and then becoming an acknowledged expert on academy development.
Despite Berwick's draw against Rangers in the third round, and the possibility that the visitors' manager Alex McLeish might bring some fringe players into his team for the clash with Forfar, Simpson says: 'I cannot believe Rangers will be as poor as they were in that match,' Even Forfar's chairman, David McGregor, prefers to adopt a realistic stance - at least publicly.
With promotion the clear priority for the visitors, manager Malky Mackay had promised changes - and he made 11.
Liverpool's greater strength in midfield numbers and intense pressing posed problems for City until the deadlock was broken after 41 minutes in a manner the visitors' manager would have found hugely unsatisfactory.
