Mark Hughes: 'Referee Kevin Friend not brave enough to send off Jack Colback'

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has criticised referee Kevin Friend for not being "brave enough" to send off Newcastle United's Jack Colback following a second bookable offence.

The match official decided against brandishing a second yellow card to Colback, despite a foul on Victor Moses in the 71st minute of yesterday's Premier League encounter.

The midfielder went on to score before Peter Crouch clinched a late equaliser for the Potters at St James' Park.

"Once again, the officials have played a hand," the Daily Star quotes Hughes as saying. "The referee wasn't brave enough to make the right decision at a key moment in the game.

"Given the yellow cards which were dished out and the nature of them, for him not to give Colback a clear second yellow was disappointing. He needs to be stronger."

Stoke are currently 10th in the league table.