The latest outburst came last Saturday after 10-man Falkirk lost 1-0 to St Mirren, courtesy of an Andy Dorman goal.

Whistler Scott MacDonald, in charge of only his sixth game of the season – a second in the SPL – sent Arnau Riera packing with 15 minutes remaining after clattering the match winner in an aerial challenge.

It, perhaps, only merited a yellow card but the outcome certainly seemed to have a bearing on the final outcome.

However, Hughes did not take his rage out on MacDonald, rather the SFA refereeing chiefs who put him in the middle in the first place.

"I'm not having a go at the referee, I'm having a go at the system, at Donald McVicar and Hugh Dallas, who put the guys out there," he said.

"We are in a league of 12 and we've worked hard to get here and we should have the same rights as the others, but why are we lumbered with rookie referees week in, week out?

"Are we getting used as a learning tool? He's had five games all season and is flung in at the deep end.

"He got one or two decisions wrong, especially the sending off which had an impact on the result.

"If he's good enough to referee in the SPL then he should be good enough to referee anyone."

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson also believed the decision to give Riera a straight red was harsh.

"I thought it was a yellow, (Riera) went up for a challenge and he mistimed it," he said.

Other than the role of MacDonald though, who riled players, management and fans alike with an overly-fussy performance, this was a largely forgetable encounter.

Chances fell to both sides, albeit too few and far between, and a solitary goal was always going to settle matters.

For Falkirk, Michael Higdon went close on two occasions, while Gerard Aafjes blasted wide and Scott Arfield shot over.

Their best opportunity, put on a plate for Carl Finnigan, was wasted after the break when the young striker failed to test the keeper from six yards when straight through and one-on-one.

Jim Hamilton did beat Falkirk minder Shane Supple at the other end but the ball hit the bar and over after a 30-yard strike, before Dorman claimed the three points for the Saints with a sublime volley in the 81st minute.

The Bairns now have to re-group for their next fixture, against Hearts, on Monday, May 5 at Westfield.

Falkirk: Supple, Ross (Moutinho 46), Barr, Arfield, Scobbie, Aafjes (Mitchell 90), Cregg, Riera, McBride, Higdon (Clarke 72), Finnigan
Not used: Olejnik, Latapy, Barrett, Bradley
Booked: None
Sent off: Riera 75

St Mirren: Howard, Mason, Haining, Potter, Dorman, Mehmet (Kean 90), Dargo, Hamilton, McCay (Miranda 71), Barron, McGinn (Molloy 71)
Not used: Smith, Brittain, Brady, O'Donnell
Booked: Mehmet, Potter, McGinn, Barron, Dargo

Referee: Scott MacDonald

Attendance: 3500