And the former Northern Ireland manager was left disgusted at the final whistle after an 83rd melee soured proceedings.
Brighton's Guy Butters reacted angrily when McIlroy threw the ball at his team-mate Dan Harding on the near touchline.
And that was the cue for both teams to get involved in a heated dispute, which surprisingly only resulted in a booking for Ben Roberts, Brighton's keeper, who raced 35-yards off his line to get involved in the action.
"I did throw the ball at his (Harding) stomach, but it didn't warrant the reaction he gave," admitted McIlroy. "He was play-acting and I went to Mark McGhee (the Brighton manager) afterwards and told him so. There was no need for a reaction like that and for their keeper to run over and get involved was silly as well."Indeed, but McIlroy was thankful that his side did take a valuable point as they battle to avoid the drop.
"I thought we dominated all over the pitch and we should have got three points, but a point is better than nothing.
"I asked for a positive reaction from the lads and I got one, but a simple defensive error on a set-piece cost us. There's no way we can slacken off from now until the end of the season."Fraser McLachlan gave Stockport a deserved lead in the 41st minute.
The former youth team midfielder found of the back of the net from an excellent cross by Danny Jackman which left Roberts in two minds and in a bad position off his line.
However, Brighton fought back on a bumpy, sandy pitch in Cheshire and drew level in the 52nd minute when defender Adam Virgo rose brilliantly to head home a corner from Nathan Jones.