Mark Hughes insists he was 'desperately' disappointed by the match officials' failure to spot Clint Hill's headed 'goal' against Bolton.
R's boss feels officials at Reebok let themselves down
QPR manager Mark Hughes insists he was 'desperately' disappointed by the match officials' failure to spot Clint Hill's headed 'goal' against Bolton.
The defender's effort appeared to have had crossed the line before goalkeeper Adam Bogdan intervened, although the linesman appeared to claim he did not see the ball as his view was obscured.
Hughes was incensed referee Martin Atkinson and his officials failed to see the ball had crossed the line, believing that opening the scoring away from home in the Premier League is 'vital'.
The Loftus Road boss accepts that Djibril Cisse was offside for QPR's leveller, however, he knows the complexion of the game was changed with the visitors missing out on getting their noses in front prior to Darren Pratley scoring.
Before the full-time whistle was blown at the Reebok Stadium the Football Association called for goal-line technology to be introduced "as soon as possible" and Hughes could not believe the timing of the statement.
Ivan Klasnic secured all three points for Bolton late on and Hughes was calculated in letting himself calm down before deciding to speak to the media to give his view on the controversial moments.
Disappointed
"I gave myself a little bit of time to calm down before seeing the press, but I'm still desperately disappointed," he told the club's
official website.
"The officials really let themselves down today. Martin Atkinson is a good referee, I acknowledge that, but he was hugely let down by his assistants today.
"How they missed the Hill header which crossed the line is beyond me. Everyone else in the ground knew it was a goal.
"That's why the assistant is in the position he is in from corner kicks, so how has he missed it?
"Someone has told me the FA have released a statement saying they're fully behind the bid for goal-line technology, which does nothing for our situation - that's laughable. The timing of that statement staggers me.
"They're just covering themselves because they know how much criticism they'll get for the displays of officials that they supply.
Fair crack
"All we want is a fair crack of the whip and we didn't get that again today.
"I feel we should have had two penalties, but the assistant on the near side had lost his nerve by then.
"We've benefited from an equaliser that was slightly offside, but that doesn't matter.
"The key decision, at the key moment, went against us. All we're asking for is a fair wicket, which we're not getting at the moment."
Hughes added: "You shouldn't underestimate the importance of the first goal in the Premier League, especially as an away side.
"It's vital and had he given the 'goal', it would have given us a major boost. The significance of scoring first away from home is crucial."
