STOKE City boss Narcis Pelach was frustrated by referee Stephen Martin and what he felt was a "bad decision" in the build-up to the goal that set Middlesbrough on their way to Saturday's victory at the Riverside.

Boro got themselves in front in the first half thanks to Ben Doak but the goal came about after the hosts won a free-kick when Lewis Koumas was judged to have fouled Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Pelach thought the free-kick award was soft and went as far as saying he thought Stoke could have scored on the counter had the referee let play go.

"It's not a foul from Koumas," he said.

"This leads to the goal. It's a bad decision in my opinion. I don't want to talk about the referee every week but it's happened in my two games, that's true.

"Big moments can go one way or the other. If he doesn't whistle for the foul, it's a four vs two for us and lots of space in the transition and it's a big chance for us, if not a goal.

"It went the other way, and the players are complaining to the referee. I want them to be stronger mentally.”

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Despite those frustrations, Pelach admitted his side "didn't do enough to win the game" at the Riverside after Hayden Hackney secured a deserved victory for Boro 17 minutes from time.

Pelach said: "I'm disappointed with the result and performance. We have to be much more aggressive defensively and offensively.

"I can see the team organised but then it's about doing more runs, crosses, shots. It was a step in the right direction in terms of possession. The battle for possession was about 50/50 and we know Middlesbrough are a great side on that.

"Building towards the new style was good but we need to turn that into chances. We need to be more aggressive and create more chances. Defensively we were organised but need to be much more reliable in duals, second balls. Competitively I don't think we were there today and that's why I'm disappointed.

"Tactically, it's fine, we were OK, but we must be more aggressive. We didn't do enough to try to win the game.

"There are positive things. I didn’t expect us to have 50-50 of the ball away at Middlesbrough. And we calmed the stadium down by having passes, but I am not happy with just this. We have to be more clinical in the boxes.

"We are building, changing things fast. The fans are right to say what they feel. They want to see us winning, fighting and scoring goals. I understand the frustrations and we have to focus on the things we can control."