Hughes has always been a supporter of technological advances, insisting football needs to be brought into the 21st century.

Cricket and both codes of rugby employ video referees to rule on crucial decisions either missed by the match officials, or which are unclear at first glance.

Yet football continues to drag its heels, and in turn referees and their assistants are facing a constant barrage of criticism over the errors they are making.

That was case in point yesterday with Birmingham boss Steve Bruce accusing an assistant official of a major blunder in his side's 2-1 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Bruce was fuming that a Gary McSheffrey "goal" was disallowed for offside.

It was a crucial decision because within 30 seconds Rovers were awarded a legitimate penalty that led to them taking a 2-0 lead.

While technology would probably have would worked against his team yesterday, Hughes is still at a loss to understood why FIFA remain reticent to use it.

"I've said in the past that goal-line technology should have been brought in years ago," remarked Hughes.

"FIFA are the guardians of the game, and on the courses I've been on and conferences I've attended, they say that because it cannot be introduced at all levels, it's wrong to introduce it just in the top level.

"I think maybe that argument is wearing a bit thin now.

"If there's a natural break in play when a goal is scored, then maybe there is a case for rewinding and seeing if it is a valid goal.

"Maybe that's the case with offside, but then how far do you go back?

"You have to be careful when you start rewinding for things and there isn't a natural break in the game, because then it starts to fundamentally change the game."

But appreciating his side were fortunate against the Blues, Hughes added: "They are saying it was level.

"It may well have been a close decision, but sometimes these things go for you and sometimes they go against you."

The decision helped Blackburn to a fourth successive victory in all competitions, and lifted them to sixth in the Barclays Premier League.

Crucial for Hughes was the return to form of Benni McCarthy, who stroked home the penalty in the 55th minute after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Due to a lack of fitness, and with the striker out of sorts, he was left out of the squad that travelled to Sunderland the previous weekend to undertake extra work on the training ground.

Hughes feels McCarthy and the team reaped the rewards against the Blues adding: "Benni was excellent.

"He came on at half time and made a real impact. The sharpness to his work was there, and he looked to be enjoying himself again.

"He wanted the ball, wanted to get into good positions, he was dynamic and working hard for the team.

"He's back in the kind of shape to have an impact on a Premier League game, which he did yesterday.

"Benni understood the situation. I explained what I felt, and I know he agreed because he got his head down and worked extremely hard.

"Now he wants to get back into the side, which is a great sign."