NINE-MAN Mangotsfield United overcame a Hitchin Town side, who played with 10 men from the 55th minute, in a Southern League Premier game which both sides were critical of Wincanton referee Mark Pottage.

Hitchin went down to 10 men in the 55th minute when striker Brett Donnelly was red carded after appearing to throw a punch. Mangotsfield's central defender Scott Hendy followed him to the dressing room in the 67th minute for a second- bookable offence.

Striker Mitchell Page became the second Mangotsfield player to be sent off in the 82nd minute for two bookable offences.

Pottage made a series of decisions which upset the players and the watching crowd, who booed him off at the end of the game.

Mangotsfield manager Paul Milsom was pleased with the way his side played and said: "The lads showed character to battle hard for a result and it was a hard-earned victory for us."

Mangotsfield took a 12th-minute lead when Danny Wring's near post cross was met by Page whose close-range header gave goalkeeper Martin Bennett no chance.

As half time approached, Hitchin twice went close to equalising through Donnelley, who failed to hit the target with a close range header, and then Desmond Boateng.

Luke Gregson's lob hit the Mangotsfield crossbar early in the second half before Donnelley was dismissed which was followed by Hendy's sending off.

Another mazy run from the impressive Wring, where he beat three defenders during a run down the right, ended with a cross into the goalmouth for Marcus Duharty to score from close range.