BASHLEY boss Steve Riley was left counting the cost of an alleged professional foul that saw central defender Pete Castle see red in the first half.

This promotion six-pointer was still in its infancy and goalless when Castle was dismissed for tugging at a Team Bath player trying to break through on goal.

But Riley, whose 10-man side went on to lose to Joe Arnold's 39th-minute strike, felt his central defender should have only got a yellow card, if that.

Riley said: "It was a tough game, and a tough defeat to take.

"After a great win over Gloucester City in our previous game, I watched Team Bath on Tuesday when they won 3-0 against Cirencester.

"So I knew it would be tough on Saturday, but it was made even tougher after 10 minutes when Pete was sent off.

"We had covering defenders but in the eyes of referee, who didn't even consult his linesman, he sent Pete off.

"Fair enough, he was the wrong side of the centre forward but he tried to get back around the other side of the guy.

"He had a tug at his arm but that sort of thing goes on all over the park and the lad (Team Bath's player) has gone down too easily.

"We had Gary Middleton and Chris Ferrett covering, and they would have come across to block the attacker, so I think it was harsh on Pete to send him off."

Riley, whose side are still favourites to secure a play-off place despite this setback, added: "We were down to 10 men against a very athletic team of young players.

"Credit to my players. They all dug in deep and worked their socks off.

"To be fair, although we got beaten 1-0 we were the better team in the second half, put them under pressure but just couldn't get that goal.

"We just couldn't deliver the final ball in the last third of the pitch to take advantage."

Sean Canham, the leading scorer in non-league's top divisions with 34 goals, was kept fairly quiet, but he was able to lay on the winner for Arnold before the break.

Canham's deft flick set up Arnold, who drew Bashley goalkeeper David Elm before slipping the ball past him.

Riley said: "It was a good finish by their striker and we are disappointed, but it is not a disaster because I couldn't have asked for more from my players.

"Justin Keeler came on with about 20 minutes to go and fired in a great volley towards goal.

"But their lad (Gary Warren) has handled it, and got sent off for a second yellow in the 80th minute.

"We weren't able to take advantage of that, though."

Canham had a goal' disallowed for offside, while Craig Davis's stinging free kick tested Team Bath goalkeeper Jake Meredith in the 54th minute.

Apart from that, and Keeler's late effort, Bashley struggled to make an impression up front.

Ex-Cherries midfielder Danny Smith played his last match to end an impressive three-month loan spell at the Recreation Ground.

Riley is in talks with the player about the possibility of making it a permanent move, especially as 25-year-old Smith was put on the transfer list by Eastleigh in January.

The manager said: "We should know more on Monday or Tuesday."

Bashley: Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Castle, Middleton, Smith, Knowles, Davis (Keeler 70), Moss, Gillespie, Town (Tarr 65). Unused subs: Sainsbury, Burch, Harper.