It is Hughes' third misconduct charge in three years

Falkirk head coach John Hughes has been handed a six-match touchline ban by the Scottish Football Association.

Referee Scott MacDonald objected to offensive language used by the Bairns boss against St Mirren on Saturday and noted it in his match report.

Hughes was spoken to by MacDonald after the game following an exchange of words in the tunnel.

The punishment increased because it was the Falkirk boss's third misconduct charge inside three years.

Hughes had already served a four-match suspension for a second disciplinary offence.

He could face further action after blasting SFA referee chiefs Donald McVicar and Hugh Dallas for allowing rookie official MacDonald to officiate in the St Mirren Park clash.

Hughes suggested that his club was being used as a "learning tool" for inexperienced referees.