Bath City 1 Chelmsford City 0: Manager Adie Britton has leapt to the defence of Matt Coupe, whose second-half dismissal meant Bath City were forced to hang on for three points in another incident-packed encounter with Chelmsford.

Coupe will miss City's FA Cup second-round tie against either Forest Green Rovers or Mansfield Town after being sent off by referee Derek Eaton for a 58th-minute tackle on John Martin.

"In the context of the game, I think the sending-off was a little harsh," said Britton.

"I have been Matt's first critic in the past when he has been indisciplined but for this challenge, which was right in front of me, I just thought he was committed. He certainly won the ball first."

City were also down to 10 men when they scored the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute. Adam Connolly was off the field receiving treatment on a nose injury when a ball from Sido Jombati sent Stuart Douglas clear.

The striker appeared to be offside before lifting the ball over keeper Craig Holloway from a tight angle.

Lewis Hogg denied Chelmsford's Ricky Modeste with a last-ditch tackle and substitute Oliver Berquez had a shot kicked off the line by Jombati.