SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: RELEGATION-haunted Corsham were left seething as a hotly-disputed injury time penalty from ex-Chippenham Town midfielder Nick Tiley pushed them closer to the First Division trap door.

Controversial Reading official Steve Creighton sent three home players off on his last visit to The Southbank in September, and did little to boost his standing in the popularity stakes when he ruled Russell Lodge had fouled Mark Cutler inside the box in the second minute of stoppage time.

Mr Creighton also called off Melksham's match at Keynsham in the autumn after deeming the crossbars too low and attracted criticism at Chippenham in November when he ruled out a late goal for offside.

Corsham joint manager Dave King was far from impressed by the official's display and felt Mr Creighton had cost his side a valuable point. Said King: "He has a reputation for the controversy that surrounds him wherever he goes. Throughout the game he was bad for both sides, its as simple as that.

"If what happened to us had happened to Bristol Manor Farm then they'd have torn him to shreds because they were a very vocal outfit. We've had penalties against us this season which we've had no complaints about, but he was 20 to 25 yards away and the linesman hasn't flagged for it. Russell Lodge has made contact with the ball, but Mark Cutler is an experienced lad and went down in the box."

Corsham have mustered only 34 goals in 29 league games this season and King conceded his side's lack of punch in the final third had contributed to their defeat on Saturday.

He said: "That was the 11th 1-0 defeat of the season and we've lost 14 times in the league. They say in football 1-0 is a great result if it goes for you, but it is going against us at the moment."

Jon Scott was unlucky not to open the scoring after 20 minutes when he curled a fine effort from 25 yards just past the far post with Manor Farm goalkeeper Rob Clarke beaten.

Luke Chapman squandered the best chance of the first half for the home side, scuffing the ball straight at Clarke from six yards.

Former Devizes midfielder Dan Slattery saw a shot deflected for a corner after the break, while Corsham goalkeeper Paul Weekes made some good saves to deny the visitors.

A draw look the fairest outcome until MrCreighton intervened.

Lodge looked to have cleanly tackled Chippenham FA Vase hero Cutler inside the box in injury time, but Creighton pointed to the spot.

Tiley stepped up and, although Weekes managed to touch the ball onto the post, the ball rolled over the line. There was still time for Frankie Coleman to fire over at the other end.

The defeat leaves Corsham fourth from bottom of the table, two points clear of the relegation zone.

They face a crucial final home game of the season on Saturday against second from bottom Minehead, who are two points behind but have played three games more.

Co-manager John Freegard could return to a misfiring attack following a groin injury, but Scott is struggling with a knee injury and Richard Thompson is unavailable.

Said King: "Saturday is a must-win game for us and is one of a few six-pointers we have coming up.

"It is a massive game and we just want to keep our heads above the bottom four. We've got seven games to go and, if we go on a good run, we could still finish a bit higher."

Corsham will be looking to banish their miserable record in local derbies when they begin a run of six successive away matches at Westbury United on Wednesday night, kick off 7.30pm.