Wood left Hampshire seething at the events which led to a draw on Tuesday evening.

A second half refereeing display, which was beyond comprehension for most of Wood's travelling supporters, left Wood with nine players on the park, and an 89th minute Basingstoke equaliser from the penalty spot, itself a disputable decision, rubbed salt into the wound.

In the seventh minute Scott Forester fell awkwardly from a challenge, and was stretchered off. With Corey Browne and Gary Howard unavailable through injury, and Boyle-Renner out with flu, Wood brought in debutante Patrick Sappleton at centre half.

Chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes, with the Wood just shading it in terms of possession. On 32 minutes a Brian Jones corner from the left was headed into the back of the net from Jeran Meah, but referee Mr Ebbage judged Marvin Walker to have impeded Tarr, the Basingstoke keeper.

Two minutes into the second half Brian Jones shrugged off three challenges from Basingstoke defenders, to lay the ball into the path of Jeran Meah.

His blistering left foot shot across Tarr's goal and into the roof of the net was unstoppable, the third goal in two games for the player, who is back to his best.

Six minutes into the second half referee Ebbage booked Lee Harvey and Domonic Grime, both within a minute, for physical challenges.

On 64 minutes Brian Jones was chopped down by the Basingstoke defence. Mr Ebbage awarded the free kick, but failed to produce one of his well-aired coloured cards. Jones voiced his opinion at the lack of protection, and was sent off.

The ten men of Boreham Wood played magnificently, with Wotton, Harvey and Wall rarely allowing the Basingstoke front men any clear shooting chances.

With 11 minutes remaining Domonic Grime went past two challenges on the right wing at great pace, his attempted cross taken off his boot by Basingstoke's Hemmings, who went into a death roll.

Ref Ebbage sprinted to Grime, who was also felled in the challenge, and sent him off.

The nine men still looked invincible, with centre forward Roach turning Meah in the penalty area, only for the Wood man to recover possession with a fantastic challenge.

Mr Ebbage awarded Basingstoke a penalty with just one minute remaining, for a Colin Wall challenge. Basingstoke's McAllister equalised.

With only one defeat in the last 11 games Micky Engwell should be overjoyed, but Tuesday's suspensions could cause problems in future contests, and this was a game the Wood should have won.

After the match manager Engwell said: "It was tremendously frustrating. I have never experienced another official like that in the 16 years I have been playing football."

WOOD: Imber, Grime, Walker, Wotton, Harvey, Wall, Meah, Sappleton, Dixon, Forrester (Kodra, 7 minutes), Jones. Subs (not used): Addai, Engwell, Akinsanya, Raymond.

Basingstoke Town 1

Boreham Wood 1

Ryman Premier League

October 2, 2002 16:00