Saturday 7 May 2016 21:00, UK
Mark Hughes took aim at referee Kevin Friend after Stoke lost to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The Potters, now winless in their last six league matches, went ahead through Charlie Adam but were pegged back by two Dwight Gayle goals after half-time.
And Hughes felt Palace were given a helping hand by referee Friend's decision to award a free-kick ahead of the south London's side winning goal.
"The referee gave them an easy free-kick, which seemed to be what he wanted to do today, to be perfectly honest," Hughes said.
"I thought his performance was very poor - he is an experienced referee - and I thought from start to finish that was arguably the worst I've seen him referee a game.
"I felt he was reluctant to get clear decisions right and he has had a bad performance. I have had games where I have had bad performances and I would like to think he'd be honest and admit that he had one as well.
"At 2-1, they're happy with that and they can soak up the pressure we produced. Overall, we made it difficult for ourselves because we allowed them back into the game."
Stoke were ahead at the interval thanks to Adam but conceded twice in 23 minutes after the break, and Hughes was upset his side failed to heed half-time instructions.
"We're disappointed, we were in control of the game and 1-0 to the good and they hadn't really caused anything of note," the Welshman added when speaking to the club's official website.
"I spoke to them at half-time to stay resolute immediately after the break, because you know that's a key period where the opposition will come out quickly, which they did.
"We weren't resolute enough and that was poor on our part, especially because after the first half you sensed the game was going to go away from them.
"In fairness, our defensive work leading up to their opening goal was poor. We missed about four challenges on the edge of the box which you can't do and allowed them back into the game."
