HENRY’S CRONIES 2 LYME REGIS 2

TIM Edwards believed his side deserved more from their trip to title rivals Henry’s Cronies.

Lyme boss Edwards reckoned the Cronies’ second goal should have been ruled out for a foul, and he felt the visitors were denied a clear-cut penalty with the score at 2-2.

After awarding Lyme a spot-kick for a challenge on Joe Bond, the match official changed his decision and gave a free-kick instead – he also opted not to send off the defender who was the last man.

“The refereeing was dreadful in the last half an hour,” said Edwards. “Joe Bond was clean through and taken down in the area, but after giving a penalty the referee changed his mind.

“He didn’t book or send off the defender who was the last man and it was a clear goalscoring opportunity.

“It was a good result against a very good side but the referee’s decisions took the shine off it because we deserved more out of the game.”

On the Cronies’ second goal, he added: “Rob Fellingham was pushed over and they scored from that.

“The referee said that he didn’t see it.”

The Cronies led 1-0 at the break but Lyme were 2-1 up within 15 minutes of the restart thanks to strikes from Mark Bailey and Fellingham.

But the hosts levelled five minutes later, albeit with the aid of a foul as far as Edwards was concerned.

The Seasiders stay second in Devon & Exeter League Division Three, four points above the Cronies, and are next in action at Thorverton Reserves on Saturday, Jan-uary 3.

Elsewhere last Saturday, Lyme Bantams lost 5-0 at home to Millwey Rise in Perry Street League Divis-ion One.