DEREK Graham pointed to three contentious decisions as the reasons for his side's eighth defeat in nine games on Tuesday night.

The Westbury United manager claimed three of Bristol Manor Farm's goals should not have stood and that his side were harshly treated.

A Nick Tiley penalty gave the hosts the lead followed by strikes from Noel O'Sullivan (2) and Andy Gibson. Jerad O'Pray scored a late consolation for Westbury.

Graham said: "It was never a penalty. It was a case of ball to hand but the referee gave it. He had missed a similar one up their end a minute earlier.

"Also their third goal came from a quick free kick. Not even the officials were ready for it and so missed the lad who scored being yards offside. There also seemed to be handball in the build up to the third goal.

"We actually played quite well but nothing would go for us. Bristol Manor Farm were no better than we were."

The scoreline flattered Farm who, if they continue to play as last night, will struggle to win the league.

If United continue to play as last night they will surely have a change of luck and pick up more victories before the season ends. Finishing was the main difference on the night.

With new signing Simon Price and the experienced Andy Goodenough brought into their forward line, United looked to shake up the home side.

But all the luck seemed to go the way of Farm, as United were denied a clear claim for a penalty when Steve Baines handled early on.

This was compounded on 28 minutes when the ball bounced awkwardly, struck Dean Wheeler's forearm and a spot kick was awarded. Tiley scored unconvincingly from the spot as Mark Batters got his right hand to the ball.

United's team spirit was superb and the whole team, led by captain Steve Perkins and Jerad O'Pray, rallied.

The latter set up Russell Fishlock who fired wide and then O'Pray went on a skilful run that saw him strike a 25 yard shot that narrowly missed the target.

Tiley almost doubled the lead but his stunning free kick rattled the crossbar.

Noel O'Sullivan did double the lead straight after half time when he beat Mark Pearce to the ball and powered it past Batters.

Goodenough found some space on 62 and, with Ian Jones off his line, struck a goalbound 30 yarder. Jones managed to back-track and spectacularly tip the ball wide.

Having been denied a deserved goal United found themselves three down just minutes later. O'Sullivan's quick free kick found Andy Gibson in acres of space and he thrashed the ball into the top corner.

The United heads didn't go down and, to their great credit, they kept playing and creating openings.

Perkins broke on the left but his excellent cross eluded everyone. Price glanced a header that clipped the crossbar and O'Pray continued his hard working display.

O'Sullivan broke through to finish the fourth goal on 80 minutes but United were determined to score and O'Pray deservedly did so late on as he hit a stunning 25 yard shot that fizzed past Jones.

Westbury travel to Clevedon Town tomorrow and Graham is targeting an unbeaten end to the season.

He said: "We have to get back to how we were playing. I can't believe what has happened recently. It is relegation form.

"We keep thinking the run will end but we can't do that. We have to work hard and make it happen.

"We did it on Tuesday but we still lost. Surely our luck has to change soon. We can't just have become a bad side over night."

All other local Screwfix League sides are without games tomorrow.