Ghana coach Claude Le Roy blamed referee Rob Styles for his side's 2-1 defeat by Mexico in the friendly international at Craven Cottage.Le Roy was incensed by the performance of the English official who awarded Mexico a controversial 86th-minute penalty that Pavel Pardo converted for victory.

He said: "I never talk about referees but it seemed that tonight he had something against us.

"He made a lot of big mistakes against us and I don't know why.

"We are a very clean and fair team yet he gave so many decisions against us.

"It was not the referee who scored the first goal for Mexico, I'm clear about that, but I'm disappointed about the standard of refereeing."

Ghana were in control through Michael Essien's 55th-minute opener but a blunder from substitute goalkeeper Patrick Antwi let Mexico back into the game.

Antwi failed to clear Essien's unkind backpass and PSV defender Carlos Salcido pounced before Pardo killed the game off after Adolfo Bautista was sent tumbling by Eric Addo.

Le Roy refused to blame Antwi for the mistake that paved the way for Ghana's defeat

He said: "We were on top when Michael scored the first goal, then there was the stupid mistake on our behalf that let Mexico into the game.

"It's difficult to criticise a young keeper. We must help him but it was a huge mistake. On this type of pitch it can happen.

"He could not taken any risk with the backpass from Michael."

Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez is under pressure after failing to guide the Under-23s to this year's Olympics and his future will be decided soon.

But Sanchez insisted he felt reassured after this performance and claimed he is not concerned about his position.

He said: "I feel okay. I'm not nervous about my future because all the numbers are in my favour. The statistics never lie.

"I'm sleeping well at the moment."

More Football News from TEAMtalk