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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Raging Dunfermline boss John Hughes blasts ref after drawing at Hamilton Accies

Raging Dunfermline boss John Hughes says Hamilton's first goal in Saturday's 2-2 draw wouldn't have been allowed anywhere else in world football, and was left "baffled" by some of referee Greg Aitken's decisions in the Championship showdown.

Hughes claimed the big Accies striker led with his elbow in a challenge against keeper Jakub Stolarczyk, his side were denied a "stonewall" penalty in the first half, and even suggested the one Dunfermline were given to put them 2-1 ahead was of the 'soft' variety.

But he says when Dunfermline are fighting for Championship survival, whistlers need to get these decisions spot-on.

Hughes said: "It feels like a loss, it’s another one where we felt like we did enough to get the three points.

"We got off to a great start with big Coll Donaldson’s goal and you’re saying ‘absolutely different class’ but at their equaliser... I don’t have to say anything, you all saw it.

Hughes claims Hamilton striker David Moyo fouled his goalkeeper to score his side's first goal in the 2-2 draw (SNS Group)

“That’s really disappointing.

“Anybody could see Moyo was right up there, leading with his elbow - there wouldn’t be another goal in world football given like that, so it was really disappointing.

“I’m honest enough to say that we got a soft penalty, but we were denied a stonewall penalty in the first half and he booked him.

“The linesman said the penalty decision was by the referee, and it was a penalty kick, so it’s another that was really baffling."

Pars led twice in the game, with Coll Donaldson sending a shot ripping into the top right corner and Steven Lawless hitting the bar, before Kai Kennedy's cross was headed in by Moyo to put Accies in level at the break.

Hughes felt referee Greg Aitken's decisions hampered his side (SNS Group)

After Ellis Brown was judged to have fouled Josh Edwards, Lawless rammed in the penalty and it looked like three points were heading to Fife, before Hamilton rallied and Kieran MacDonald's corner was headed in by Moyo.

Accies could even have won it late on, with Andy Ryan's looping header hitting the bar.

Hughes said: "What I will say is that when the boys are giving me everything, when they’re battling, and their livelihoods are at stake, everything’s at stake, and you get a decision like that, it’s not acceptable.

“I’m not questioning the referee’s integrity, just his decisions, but my boys are fighting for their lives, and you need to be spot-on.”

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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