John Hughes accuses Hibs forward Martin Boyle of 'conning' John Beaton as Ross County boss criticises referee

The Ross County boss was incensed by the whistler’s decision to point to the spot, claiming it was “never a penalty”.

In a lengthy rant on BBC Sportsound, Hughes said: “It's a real dubious penalty, and I think Martin Boyle conned John Beaton.

"It’s very clever; it’s part and parcel of the game... but the last time I saw a dive like that the boy had Speedos on.”

Continuing his broadside against Boyle, who converted the penalty to level the scores after Billy Mckay had put County in front from close range, Hughes added: “He had been booked for a tackle in the wide area and then he dived again in the box and the referee chose to ignore it, for the simple reason that it was a red card because it was a dive, and that's what I was talking to him about.

“I understand referees have got a hard job. But why do they always go against Ross County? Is it easy season at Ross County?

"We never get them, but we get them going against us. They're not always blatant penalties and today, Boyle has played for it. For me, it's not a penalty kick, and it's cost us.

"The one a couple of weeks ago against St Mirren - never a penalty. The one there for me, never a penalty. I can see why he gives it, but it's never a penalty.

"You have to be 100 per cent sure. It seems to be costing us and livelihoods are at stake at this business end of the season.”

Turning on the match official, Hughes added: "I expect a little better from an experienced referee like John Beaton. He only sees it once and has to make a decision but I'm quite sure he'll see it [again] and he might be disappointed, but it's too late.

"You need to be spot on. We're playing for big stakes, livelihoods. My boys have worked their socks off this week and we deserve a little bit better, in terms of real key decisions in the games that have cost us.”

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