Hibernian head coach Alan Stubbs called for Alan Muir to explain his decision to reject his team's penalty appeal during the 2-2 draw with Falkirk, admitting he was "lost for words" after the call.

Bairns defender David McCracken appeared to handle the ball in the box during the second half of the play-off semi-final first leg at Easter Road with the score at 2-1.

Referee Muir waved away appeals from the home players and Bob McHugh later scored to earn a draw for the visitors.

The McCracken penalty claim dominated the post-match discussion with Stubbs saying: "I am a bit lost for words. I can't say too much but he has seen it.

"I think everyone in the stadium knew it was a penalty. He admitted that he has seen him touch it. That is why the referee should explain it.

"You just want them to get the big calls right.

"We keep asking them for consistency and we just want them to get it consistently right.

"I don't think anyone means to get it wrong but when it is so obvious. It is very surprising that it hasn't been given.

"We are capable of going there and getting a result and Falkirk will be happy with a draw."

McCracken had his say after the game, admitting touching the ball with his hand but he insists Muir made the right decision.

He said: "It was a handball obviously but it obviously wasn't deliberate.

"The motion of my tackle brings my body shape round that way and my hand goes on the ball.

"It was a handball but the referee got it right.

"Sometimes when things like that happen you stop for a second because you have that fear but I just continued my motion and possibly that helped the referee's decision as well.

"We would probably have a taken a draw before the game and I think the draw was a fair result."