ANNOYED Adie Arnold felt a controversial sending off had contributed to Verwood Town’s first Wessex League defeat in 21 matches.

The Division One leaders saw their 20-match unbeaten run come to an end when they lost 3-2 at AFC Portchester on Saturday.

Matt Delaney and Mike Haskell both scored as the teams went into the break level. But Verwood’s Dean Evans was sent off by referee Collins Benin before the hosts hit a late winner.

Boss Arnold said: “It was a 50-50 challenge and their player went down injured.

“The referee booked Dean, then changed his mind and sent him off. We were all gobsmacked by it – even their bench.”

When contacted by the Echo, referee Benin said he had explained his decision to Arnold and did not wish to comment further.

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Delaney, Kelly, Dear, Homer (Smalley, 80), Webb, Dyer, Gajic, Haskell, Satterley (Wilson, 60). Unused subs: Barnett, Anderton.

• New Milton Town climbed to 17th position in the Wessex Premier following a 3-1 victory over Horndean at Fawcett’s Field.

Harrison Gilkes scored either side of an Alex Baldacchino penalty before Horndean hit a late consolation.

Linnets: Rowe, Davies, Stuart, Holland (Barge, 60), Curtis, Case, Gilkes, Tanner (Proctor, 70), Baldacchino, Moth, Preston (Donaldson, 80). Unused subs: Snelling, Smart.

• Ben Osborne’s 16th league goal of the season proved enough to hand Christchurch a 1-0 win at 10-man Lymington Town.

Priory: Loader, Costello, Taylor, Dand, Crutchley, Burt, M Smith, Fairbrother (Cooper, 60), Osborne (Reed, 60), Burden, Griffin (Cornick, 80).

• Wayne Hole and Josh Brown were the Ringwood Town match-winners in their 2-0 Wessex One victory at Warminster Town.

Ringwood: Daley, S Hole, Osman, Pierson, Tyler, Manning (Eley, 60), Hardy (Elezi, 56), Yeats, J Brown (Mullings, 86) Edwards, W Hole. Unused sub: Morrell.