RECUPERATING Laverstock and Ford more than matched their division counterparts Tadley Calleva but were left pointless after a 1-2 home defeat.

The Wessex Division One leaders took the lead in the second half through league top-scorer Brett Denham.

Lavvy got back on level terms when Elliott Wykes duly dispatched from the spot but the hosts felt they should have played the remainder against ten-men when Ollie Batchelor was wiped out on his way to winning the spot kick. And the defender wheeled away with a yellow card.

The game was up for the taking in the final 15 minutes and Lavvy found themselves casualties from a Tadley smash-and-grab set-piece which was bundled over the line.

Laverstock pressed for the equaliser with both Tom Mundy and Russell Jones going close but the wellorganised defence stood strong to deny them a deserved point.

Puzzled by a contentious decision, Robbie Lakeman said: “It is not often I will blame a referee for the outcome of a game but on this one he definitely played a part.

“We were well on top when we got the penalty and, although no one wants to see players being sent off, this was as clear a sending off as you will see and I feel that had we got the man advantage at 1-1 we would have gone on to win the game.

“I'm disappointed for the players as they worked really hard against a side I think will be thereabouts at the end of the season.”

Suffering similarly at the foot of Wessex Division One are Downton FC, who were 4-0 losers at Cowes Sports.

Following those defeats, Laverstock are 12th with three points and The Robins, two places below them, are second from bottom with two points.