MARK Hughes admits he was “surprised” by Paul Simpson’s accusation that the first-leg referee was a “homer”.

The Carlisle boss felt Ross Joyce favoured City with his decisions in Sunday’s clash at Valley Parade.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Brunton Park return, Hughes questioned whether Simpson had been pulled up by the authorities for what he had said.

“I was surprised by the comments,” said Hughes. “Paul’s an experienced manager and I thought what he said did question the integrity of the officials and that’s a ‘no-no’.

“You can always question their performance because sometimes it’s valid criticism. But questioning the integrity is a path I try and avoid.

“I haven’t heard anything. I don’t know if he’s been pulled up on it.

“But it was a bit of a surprise really that he came out with that. It’s an emotional game and perhaps that overtook him.

“Maybe he’s had a slap on the wrist, I don’t know. If it had been me, I’d have got fined.”

City have no fresh injury concerns leading into the second leg. Thierry Nevers was ill at the start of the week but was back in training today.

Simpson has claimed that it is “City’s game to lose” but Hughes is confident his team can handle another big occasion. Carlisle are expecting their largest crowd for a play-off home game.

“Paul has admitted they were very nervous in the opening period,” added Hughes. “That was as a consequence of the stage and the atmosphere.

“It will be replicated, obviously not to the same extent, but they are going to have a big crowd again.

“They are going to have to deal with that. That’s what we’re used to week in, week out so it won’t faze us.

“There’s absolutely no pressure on us, in my view, because we’re on the front foot.

“We’re in a good frame of mind leading into the game because we’re off the back of a win.

“I don’t know if there are mind games going on, there certainly aren’t from our point of view, we’re just confident in our own ability. It’s going to be a great football match.”