DEREK Graham was left frustrated by the decision to allow a controversial goal to stand as Warminster Town fell to a narrow loss at home to league leaders Barnstaple Town in midweek.

The decisive moment arrived five minutes before the interval at Weymouth Street, with Barnstaple striker Dave Pearse turning home a cross at the back post.

However, Warminster joint manager Graham reckons that not only was Pearse offside, he also helped the ball into the net with his hand.

Graham said: “The goal was a bit of a nightmare. It was very annoying.

“Everyone in the ground thought he was offside and the people behind the goal said he hand-balled it in as well.

“It shouldn’t have stood and if that hadn’t have happened then you never know what could happen.

“But then the result might have been different either, they may have played differently and beat us 5-0.”

Warminster’s cause was not helped by the dismissal of Tom Golledge early on as he picked up two bookings in the first 15 minutes.

Graham added: “It was a brilliant performance considering we had to play an hour and a quarter with 10 men.

“The referee had no choice but to send him off it was two yellows. When you’ve been booked you need to play sensibly for a bit.

“It is a bit of a shame as you don’t know what might have happened had we kept 11 on the field but these things happen in the heat of the moment.

“We knuckled down and played really well after that but then the goal came.

“After that we set up to not conceded and then in the last 10 minutes we threw people forward. We had about six chances in that time, we hit the bar and we couldn’t have done more without actually winning it.

“I think we did about as well as we could and you wouldn’t have realised we only had 10 men.”

Town had earlier suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Chard Town on Saturday.

Graham added: “That game was disappointing, we just weren’t at the races.

“When we play the better sides we play better. I think that's because the lads know they have to work hard if they are to get anything out of it.

“Then against the sides around us they relax a bit and don’t play to their potential “But I think we are getting through to them and if we play like we did against Barnstaple for the rest of the season we should win a few games.”

Warminster are scheduled to travel to Roman Glass St George on Saturday but Town have three players on county duty and Graham expects the fixture to be postponed.

Graham added: “That should be called off. You’re allowed to do that when this happens.

“If we had a big enough squad then we would carry on playing but those guys are all in our first team.”