MORTON boss Jim Duffy says Stefan McCluskey could be saddled with an unfair reputation for diving due to refereeing errors.

The Ton frontman has been booked for simulation in matches against Queen of the South and St Mirren this term despite both incidents appearing to be legitimate fouls inside the box.

After watching a recording of last Friday’s derby, Duffy is convinced the 25-year-old should have been awarded a stonewall spot-kick and understands why his forward is frustrated at picking up another yellow card for supposedly going to ground.

He told the Tele: “People will maybe not have been at the game and not seen the incidents, and you can sometimes get a label that’s unfair.

“It shouldn’t happen. People should judge each incident on its own merits, but sometimes it’s human nature to stick a label on somebody.

“It’s like a player who can get a reputation for tackling; you don’t get the benefit of the doubt anymore. How many times do you hear them say on the TV that it’s a ‘forward’s tackle’ and they get away with it, whereas maybe a midfielder who has a bit of a reputation will never get away with it.

“From Stef’s point of view it’s been harsh, because he’s picked up two bookings, in my opinion wrongly. Despite being the victim of two fouls, he’s been [judged] the culprit.

“I watched some elements from the game on the Friday night and then watched the full game on the Sunday — and it was a penalty.

“I’m sure he’s feeling a bit frustrated because he feels he has been harshly treated, and when players are harshly treated they feel the world’s against them a wee bit.

“But he’ll just have to take it on the chin, be resilient and tough, and hopefully the next time’s there’s a challenge the decision will go for him.

“If he keeps getting into those situations, taking people on in the box and using that energy and desire he’s got to get on the end of things, then the breaks will come for him eventually.”