Lydd manager Mickey Doyle believes the referee cost his side victory in their top-of-the-the-table game at Snodland on Saturday.

The visitors had goalscorer Harry Alexander sent off in added time and conceded a last-gasp equaliser against the Southern Counties East Division 1 leaders.

It finished 1-1 but Doyle felt Lydd would have won but for the controversial dismissal of Alexander, whose third-minute goal looked set to be enough.

“The officiating wasn’t great,” said Doyle. “I think we’d have seen it out if we’d kept 11 on the pitch.

“The referee’s sent Harry off for two yellow cards, which are never bookings.

“The first one, he’s blown his whistle literally as Harry’s volleying the ball and booked him for kicking the ball away.

“The second one, the bloke’s cut inside and run into him.

“It was unfair on Harry. He’s one of the nicest guys in football. He doesn’t like to do anything wrong or outside the laws of the game.

“We were unlucky not to win. We had a game plan, and it worked, but certain things are out of your control.”

Doyle had already been sent to the stands for his protests following an incident involving striker Paldon Bepe.

He added: “When our centre-forward is grabbed by his hair and thrown to the floor, I expect something to be done.

“And what happens? Both players are booked. If that happens in the street, it’s assault.

“Their bench had been giving it to the linesman all game and as soon as I say something, I’m sent off.”

On the plus side, Lydd banished the memory of their 8-0 defeat when the sides met two months ago.

“That’s put the 8-0 to bed now, hasn’t it?” Doyle said.

“We knew they’d have more of the football but we limited them to long-range efforts and created the better chances.”

Lydd take on Sporting Club Thamesmead at the Lindsey Field this Saturday (3pm).