John Hughes has few complaints despite weather-affected defeat at Kilmarnock

Inverness boss John Hughes did not want the game with Kilmarnock abandoned because of heavy snow - but would have appreciated notice of stoppages in the game.

Published 18th Jan 2016

Inverness boss John Hughes did not want the game with Kilmarnock abandoned because of heavy snow - but would have appreciated notice of stoppages in the game.

Referee Don Robertson halted play twice, once in each half, and delayed the start of the second period to allow the pitch and markings to be cleared.

Hughes had no idea the stoppages were planned before kick-off and said after the 2-1 Ladbrokes defeat it affected the rhythm of his side's game.

Both sides had to contend with the blizzard conditions at Rugby Park, with the hosts coming out on top thanks to Craig Slater's superb volley.

Greg Kiltie had given Killie the lead before Ross Draper's equaliser.

It didn't make for a good game but to get the game on was different class,'' said Hughes.

I'm all for brushing the lines and keeping the game going but my only complaint was that we should have known about it before the game.

It doesn't help with your rhythm and it stops the game. The last 20 minutes it was a wee bit heavy trying to run and pass it.

I never wanted it called off. I'm all for summer football and credit where it's due for getting it on. My only complaint is we should have known about the stopping to clear the lines.

The referee was good, got his decisions right in a very hard game. He showed initiative in brushing the lines and to be honest, when I saw it in the first half I wondered what was going on.

The game's done and dusted and we got through it. I'm just disappointed with the result.''

His counterpart Gary Locke, understandably, was delighted with the game finishing and praised the staff who worked to get the pitch ready.

Locke said: I thought it would sum up our luck if he called it off!

To be fair, the officials and the groundstaff have to take the credit because they were very efficient with everything they did.

It was tough conditions for both teams, but they both tried to play. The pleasing thing was also to get the three points.

The winner was a great goal and he is capable of it, it was one fitting to win any game.''