JIM Magilton was less than impressed with the Premiership officials taking charge of Saturday's FA Cup game, although did admit he thought referee Steve Bennett looked 'stunning'.

By Derek Davis

JIM Magilton was less than impressed with the Premiership officials taking charge of Saturday's FA Cup game, although did admit he thought referee Steve Bennett looked 'stunning'.

The Town boss was left frustrated by two key decisions in the game and clashed with fourth official Phil Dowd on the sidelines.

When asked about the decisions after the game, Magilton had not been able to get an explanation from Bennett but, with tongue firmly in cheek, he replied: “The referee looked stunning. He has clearly had a mid-winter break or has been on the sun bed because he looked lovely and brown. And when Steve Bennett showed that red card he looked magnificent - he is very handsome man.”

Kent official Bennett indicated that O'Callaghan had stamped on defender Dan Shittu but Magilton didn't feel there was anything in the incident.

He said: “Dan Shittu is huge and George O'Callaghan is about nine stone dripping wet so I couldn't believe it was a sending off. To me, it looked a collision and they both just got up.

“George is devastated, that was his first start and he is very upset. If I look at the tape again and feel he is in the wrong then he will be fined but, seeing it live, it didn't look anything.”

Blues head coach Bryan Klug had to step between Magilton and Stoke official Dowd, who were arguing in the technical area in the closing minutes of the match. Magilton explained: “Gary Roberts, being the cheeky Scouser he is, put his hand on Steve Bennett when he was being talked too and he told him not to touch him.

“I then asked Phil Dowd if it was okay then for Steve Bennett to frogmarch Jaime Peters off the pitch when he was injured and Watford had a corner. If he is allowed to put his hand on a player then fine but, if he isn't, then I want answers. Of course, they didn't have answers.”

Both managers played down reports of a bust-up in the tunnel during the half-time break. Magilton said: “It was handbags, nothing more, a few raised voices that was it.”