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Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant came off the bench to convert a crucial penalty to help Tampines Rovers to a controversial 4-2 S.League win over 10-man Warriors FC at Jurong West Stadium on Saturday night.

The Stags moved three points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S) on the table as they rebounded from a disastrous AFC Cup defeat midweek in Bangladesh.

Tampines staged a comeback after trailing 2-1 at the break, with coach V. Sundramoorthy throwing on Pennant as a second-half substitute.

Billy Mehmet had given the hosts the lead in the 38th minute when he latched onto a lovely cut-back by Christopher van Huizen and calmly dispatched a first-time shot into the back of the net.

Warriors equalised three minutes later when Jonathan Behe did well to turn his man and slide a pass to Hafiz Nor, who beat national goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. Remarkably, the visitors then took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Yazid Yasin's long clearance was deflected through to Ridhuan Muhamad, who skipped past the onrushing Izwan and fired into the unguarded net.

But the game's pivotal moment arrived five minutes into the second half when Fazrul Nawaz broke free before going down inside the box under Yazid's challenge. The referee initially looked to have decided there had been no foul. But he then changed his mind and pointed to the spot before showing the Warriors custodian a straight red card.

The visitors made no attempt to hide their aggravation. When the dust settled, it was ex-England U21 representative Pennant who kept his nerve by sending substitute keeper Zainol Gulam the wrong way from the spot.

From then on, Tampines were always going to be the favourites. But to Warriors' credit, they refused to back down and still looked to push forward for the winner.

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However, the numerical deficit took its toll and the Stags edged ahead in the 75th minute. Hafiz Abu Sujad won possession outside the opposition half and skipped past a defender before firing home.

Just for good measure, Hafiz added a fourth three minutes from time when his 25-yard drive took a wicked deflection and sailed past Zainol's despairing dive to wrap up the three points.

Warriors' coach Jorg Steinebrunner struggled to hide his displeasure at the officiating.

"The standard of refereeing would not even be fit for the 10th division anywhere in Europe," said the German. "He should be happy just to be opening the door for professional players ... it's a disgrace.

"The linesman doesn't even flag for a penalty but the referee waits five minutes (sic) then makes his decision and then sends off the goalkeeper, who is not even the last man. I would like to see what the FAS referees department is going to do now because if this happens in Europe, that fellow won't referee a game for the next six months.

"With all that in mind, I have to say the players really showed a lot of character."

Meanwhile, Tampines' coach Sundram hailed the impact of Pennant, who was a calming influence amidst all the tension in the second half.

"I think the boys responded well in the second half and Pennant was great," Sundram said.

"He made so much of a difference after coming on. It was a tough game, there is never an easy game in the S.League, but a win is a win." 

Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud, Ismadi Mukhtar, Fahrudin Mustafic, Shakir Hamzah, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Shahdan Sulaiman, Izzdin Shafiq, Yasir Hanapi (Irwan Shah 71'), Christopher van Huizen (Jermaine Pennant 46'), Fazrul Nawaz (Sufian Anuar 62'), Billy Mehmet.

Warriors FC: Yazid Yasin, Emmeric Ong (Hafiz Rahim 78'), Madhu Mohana, Kento Fukuda, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Hafiz Osman (Zainol Gulam 53'), Poh Yi Feng, Ridhuan Muhamad (Hafsyar Farkhan 71'), Nikola Rak, Hafiz Nor, Jonathan Behe.