#INSERT type:image caption:Enner Valencia heads home shortly after the Song challenge that was criticised by Mark Hughes. END#
Stoke boss Mark Hughes was critical of referee Chris Foy after the official did not punish a challenge from Alex Song in the build-up to West Ham's first goal in the 2-2 draw at the Britannia Stadium.
Play was allowed to continue in the 60th minute following Song's rash-looking tackle on Mame Biram Diouf, and the Hammers were able to move the ball upfield through Stewart Downing, from whose cross Enner Valencia headed in to make it 2-1.
Hughes said: "It was a poor challenge by Song -- he dived in two-footed, with both feet off the ground.
"Thankfully Diouf jumped out of the way, but the referee should have stopped the game there and then. It was a dangerous challenge.
"He might argue he tried to play advantage -- well, we didn't gain one. We were at a disadvantage because they go up the other end and score their opening goal.
"It is a poor decision from the referee and he needs to do better than that."
Asked whether he thought play would have been stopped if it had been a Stoke player making the challenge, Hughes said: "I can't say that. But I can think it, maybe."
"Referees are told -- for want of a better phrase -- to stamp out those challenges, but he didn't do anything about it. I don't think he even talked to him after.
"He is one of senior referees and he has to better than that."
Stoke had deservedly led 2-0 thanks to goals from Victor Moses -- his first for the club -- in the 33rd minute and Diouf in the 56th.
Hughes was pleased with the performance in many ways, but ultimately rued missed chances as he was denied the perfect 51st birthday present.
Asked if it counted as happy birthday, Hughes said: "Not particularly. I'm getting old and we didn't win, so it's not a good combination.
"I thought we were excellent -- it was arguably one of our most creative and dynamic performances this season.
"But we need to convert more chances than we did, because we were by far the superior team."