A CONTROVERSIAL first half penalty and a second half own goal left Pewsey still vainly looking for their first league points since the last week in September.

Despite taking the lead and later bringing the score back to 2-2 an own goal credited to Brian Blake saw the points go to Brackley.

Manager Steve Wootton again criticised the standard of refereeing but predicted his side would soon play their way out of trouble.

"I said all along the refereeing was poor," Wootton said. "Darren Walters has been tackled just outside our box and the ball has rebounded off their player and hit Darren's hand.

"It was ball to hand and Brackley didn't even appeal but the referee still gave it. Then for their winner our lad has gone to hook the ball away and it's rebounded back and gone in. That's how it goes when you are not getting any luck."

Pressure on the visitors' goal produced a corner and Andy Brein's well-placed kick found Brian Blake to head the Vale in the lead on the 17th minute.

Then came the controversial penalty that saw Brackley get back on level terms in the 27th minute.

Darren Walters was tackled just outside the box and fell on the ball and the referee awarded a penalty for handball that Milner converted.

The home side suffered another blow when they went behind as early as the first minute after the restart.

With the Pewsey defence dozing a cross by Darren Beckett found Richard Dunkley free to slip the ball in at the far post.

But Pewsey did get back into the game again in the 62nd minute when a long kick by Wilson into the Brackley half was headed on by Bennett to Barry Flippance who headed home.

Nine minutes later Pewsey's hopes of getting something from the match were rocked when Brackley took the lead for a second time.

A free kick from the visitors took a deflection off Blake into the Pewsey net with Wilson helpless to stop it.

Wootton hopes the return of key players from injury and suspension will be just the boost his side needs.

"Justin Messenger will be back from injury soon and Craig Wall, Adam Stevens and Tom Ritchie are due to complete their suspensions."