Downplay the incident, and use as a reference someone at that job with whom you enjoyed a better relationship. Especially helpful would be someone now in a supervisory position. Especially important: Prospective employers can generally ask the question: “If a suitable opening were to occur, would you hire this person to fill it?” Find someone in your old workplace who and answer in the affirmative.
I agree -- good plan. I couldn't stand the manager at my last job and she couldn't stand me. There was one manager in the department I didn't report directly to whom I got along very well with, though.
She was happy to provide me with a reference and it worked. The prospective employer has no idea of the organizational chart at the other place.