POPPIES play-maker Steve Strong controversially saw red in the 15th minute as their title hopes nose-dived at Victoria Park.

The former Cherries midfielder got his marching orders for an alleged "two footed" tackle, a decision the home side felt was "harsh".

Poppies boss James Wood said: "It was a 50-50 and both players have gone for it.

"It was a foul and a booking at the worst, and it left us playing 75 minutes with only 10 men.

"I think we played exceptionally well, considering we had three central defenders out in Lamin Dibba, Ollie Cherrett and Ben Lucas and Steve was sent off.

"The problem was we need to take our chances and unfortunately we didn't."

Wood added: "Horndean are a bit of a bogey side for us, although we started well and created four or five chances in the opening 15 minutes.

"I thought it would just be a matter of time before we scored and hopefully we would have gone on from there.

"The games we have drawn have cost us. Out of the 10, we should have won seven. That's a lot of points dropped.

"It's cost us but it's still been an exceptional season."

Poppies: Kearn, Beckett, Phillips, Crow, Morrell, M Smith (White 80), Dancer, Sanderson (Constable 70), Strong, Barnes, Jeffes. Unused subs: M Toy, Cuglietta, Wood.