FURIOUS Corsham Town manager Mark Godley blasted the match officials after three of his players were red carded in Saturday's home reverse against Torrington.

Striker Simon Price and goalkeeper Paul Weeks were both dismissed during the game, while former assistant manager Rob Humphries saw red for comments made to the referee after the final whistle.

In a game of few flashpoints, Godley was astonished that his side had been forced to play for 75 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.

He said: "We had three sent off in a game where there wasn't a bad tackle. There was no animosity between the sides at all.

"I'm absolutely appalled and disgusted by the level of refereeing we were forced to endure on Saturday. His performance was just not acceptable and was disgraceful at best.

"Not only has the ref cost me a man for 75 minutes of the game, he's caused me a problems later on due to suspensions."

Godley felt the words of rival boss, ex-Chippenham Town chief Jeff Evans, at the final whistle had told their own story.

He said: "Jeff Evans apologised to me at the end of the game and said that he hoped what goes around comes around for us.

"When an opposing manager apologises for taking the three points, it just about says it all."

Former Melksham and Devizes forward Price was the first Corsham man to see red after tangling with a visiting defender on 15 minutes.

Said Godley: "We started brightly against potential title favourites and had a couple of half chances.

"Their centre half had already picked up a booking inside the first ten minutes and then he and Simon Price had a slight tussle on the sideline.

"Simon Price has raised his hands simply to protect himself and got sent off for it. I was appalled by the decision."

But Corsham bounced back and Jon Scott gave the home side the lead on the stroke of half time, lobbing the visiting goalkeeper following Nigel Curtis' flick-on.

The ten men of Corsham held out until the 75th minute, when Andy Stevens headed home an equaliser for Torrington.

Stevens then benefited from a fortunate deflection off defender Richard Thompson before firing the winner past Weeks in the final minute, but more woe followed for the hosts as the goalkeeper was dismissed for his reaction.

Said Godley: "The ball hit the back of the net and Paul Weeks swore at himself. But the ref deemed he had sworn at the officials and gave him a straight red.

"Steve Caines went in goal for the five minutes of injury time he added and with only eight outfield players we had no chance.

"At the final whistle I refused to shake hands with the officials. Rob Humphries has shaken hands with the linesman and not the ref.

"He has then made some comment to the ref on his way into the dressing room and we only found out he had been sent off as well when we saw the paperwork back in the clubhouse."

The defeat leaves Corsham with one point from a possible nine this term, but Godley was full of praise for his battling players.

He said: "My players did everything in their power to generate a result, but ten men couldn't beat 14. They did nothing wrong.

"They battled their socks off and were absolutely distraught at the end.

"If that referee had been assessed then I don't think he would ever play again. We've just got to take it on the chin and go on from here."

Corsham travel to Premier Division Paulton Rovers on Saturday and host Weston St Johns on Monday night, kick off 7.45pm.

Said Godley: "We've played three and only have one point when maybe we should have seven. The lads are very committed and hopefully we can turn it around."

Meanwhile, midfielder Andy Wicks and goalkeeper Weeks have turned down moves to Westbury United and Swindon Supermarine respectively.