Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was ruing a handball decision that led to the only goal in their loss to Stoke City at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Matthew Etherington's 82nd-minute winner appeared to come off the arm of Tuncay Sanli following Ricardo Fuller's cross and Hodgson believes the decision should have been paid in favour of his side.

"It's very disappointing to lose, especially seeing as the evidence showed it was handball which deflected the ball over for the goal," Hodgson said.

"When you consider the few chances we conceded it was very harsh to lose 1-0.

"It was an easy night for the referee. He didn't have much to do but it's the big decisions that count.

"We'll have to accept it though, that's the way things go. I'm sure it was a genuine error.

"The Stoke player admitted to Aaron Hughes it was handball apparently but we'll pick ourselves up for next week now."