Clock operator error

[NCAAREF]

So my question is...when do you start this "official count"? With 5 seconds left...10 seconds left...30 seconds left??? I was in the stands for a playoff game one time with Team A down by 1 with 3 seconds left on the clock. Team B was shooting a 1 and 1. They couldn't get the clock fixed so the official said he "would do a count". Well guess what? Longest 3 seconds I ever saw...missed FT...rebound by Team A....dribble... dribble...pass to the wing...dribble...dribble..pass to front court...one dribble...shot...good...game over! So if that official really counted 3 seconds in his head but his partner counted it faster...who was correct? A real Pandora's box I say....