WHITCHURCH United manager Carl Bennett was not a happy man, after his side slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against visiting Newport (IoW).

Bennett felt the penalty his side gave away was not a spot kick and therefore Craig Rutledge should not have been booked and then sent-off later in the game.

The Whitchurch boss said: “I was told by my players and the Newport players that it was not a penalty and so Craig (Rutledge) should not have been booked. I don’t think the ref had a good game today, as he missed a lot which was right under his nose.

“We are disappointed to lose as we know we can play a lot better, but we failed to put away our chances.”

Despite all the overnight rain the Longmeadow pitch looked in good condition for this Wessex League Premier Division clash and it was the visitors who opened the better.

However, it was the Jam Boys who were to have the first real chance of the game, as the lively Aaron Jarvis was put through, but a great save from Newport’s Gary Streeter denied him.

As the half went on, the home side started to create more chances and Scott Hassell fired just wide of the upright and Ryan Lambert saw his effort go over the crossbar.

Just before the half hour mark , Jarvis’ ball across the face of the goal, saw no one able to get a telling touch.

The visitors replied and a solid header from Darren Powell just went the wrong side of the upright.

Newport came even closer to scoring as man of the match Brad Snelling tipped over a super strike from Liam Bennett.

The home side then looked set to score as Rudy Plummer fed Jarvis, but his goal bound shot was stopped on the line by Will Quigley, who somehow scrambled it away.

The second session started like the first, with Newport having the upper hand.

In the 49th minute a shot from Liam Triggs came off the crossbar and as confusion reigned in the penalty area Craig Rutledge was adjudged to have fouled Newport’s best player Connor Kelly. He was shown the yellow card and a penalty was awarded.

Kelly stepped up to take it and fired to the left of Snelling, who got down well to make an excellent save.

After this both Jarvis and Plummer had chances for the home side, before the islanders scored what turned out to be the winner.

Whitchurch defender Zac Gill tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, but Tom McInnes got in behind him and only a great save from Snelling denied the striker.

However, from the resulting corner the ball found its way to Ryan Oatley at the back post and he scored after 61 minutes.

Soon after, another corner this time was swung in from the left and Snelling punched away the danger.

Whitchurch boss Bennett then changed things up by sending on his three subs. Two of these Matt Austin and Luke Neller combined well for an excellent chance.

Neller’s cross being met at the back post by Jarvis and only a great save from Streeter stopped a certain equaliser.

A minute later a quick break by the visitors saw Joe Butcher speed down the wing, but his charge was ended by Rutledge and the referee was swift to show a second yellow card, followed by a red.

Down to 10 men the Jam Boys did not give up, but Newport should have added a second goal six minutes from time.

However, sub Jimmi Burton scuffed his shot from close range and put the ball the wrong side of the post, when it looked easier to score.

On Wednesday night, Whitchurch did enjoy a 4-0 league win over Follard Sports as Hassell, Lambert, Danny Phillips and Plummer all found the back of the net.

Next for the Jam Boys is a trip to Fareham in the Premier Division on Saturday.