"The 49ers believe Michael Crabtree's third-quarter touchdown catch should not have been nullified, and they're sending that message to the league.

"It looked like he was inbound and never stepped out of bounds; that's what it looks like from our coaches' video," coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday, a day after the 49ers' 13-8 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. "It was a heck of a play. It was a fantastic play by Michael and a fantastic play by Alex (Smith) in a part of the game where that touchdown was big and important."

The 49ers trailed 3-0 when Smith rolled left and threw a 10-yard pass that Crabtree jumped to catch in the end zone. Officials ruled Crabtree had stepped out of the back of the end zone before returning to the field of play. Harbaugh did not request a replay challenge, partly because of Fox's delayed showing of a replay.

"I would have loved to have seen it stick," Harbaugh said. "They both deserved it. From what I've seen on tape, it sure looks that way. I could be wrong if there's an angle or if the official saw something I didn't see."

Upon watching replays, Crabtree said Monday: "There was no evidence I stepped out of bounds. The ref wasn't even looking, that's the funny part.""