NEIL Kirkpatrick has branded referee Kevin Barnett "a joke" after his display in Wednesday night's Hellenic League Floodlight Cup semi-final first leg tie at Meadow Lane.

The furious Trowbridge Town boss also blasted the "boring" tactics of opponents Almondsbury and warned their higher league opponents his side have plenty more to come.

Wednesday's 0-0 draw has given the Bristol side the advantage going into the second leg, but Kirkpatrick insists his side have nothing to fear and are still confident of reaching the final.

A potentially exciting encounter was spoilt by countless puzzling decisions by the referee and Kirkpatrick was not prepared to hold back on his opinion.

He said: "It is very rare I get on officials' backs but that bloke tonight was a joke. To say I was disappointed with him is a massive understatement.

"He was so inconsistent and Ricky Trott's booking was absolutely unbelievable.

"I don't want to detract from our performance but tonight the referee was only there for one person and that was himself. He spoilt a really good game.

"I will have to think about whether or not I am going to put a report in about him although I probably won't bother because he was being assessed anyway and they can deal with him."

Despite being a division below their opponents, Trowbridge dominated for large parts of the match and Kirkpatrick admitted he was surprised at how little Almondsbury had to offer.

He said: "I thought for a Premier Division team they were very negative. I was disappointed with them because it was clear they did not come here tonight to have a go.

"To go with just one player up front in the second half summed up their ambition. We definitely deserved to win the match.

"They have come here for the draw and will probably go away thinking they have won the tie but our boys are really up for it after tonight."

Kirkpatrick also warned his side were far from their best on Wednesday night and vowed the real Trowbridge would be in evidence in the second leg on February 9.

He said: "In the first half we kept giving possession away and we are normally better than that.

"We improved after the break and I was pleased with that but we know we can play much better.

"We have already beaten better teams than them this season and we all believe we can progress into the final.

"They are the favourites to go through but then they were before the tie and I think we have proved we can more than hold our own against them. I would love it if we went there and beat them."