FRUSTRATED Adie Arnold pointed the finger at referee Shaun Tobin after Jack Lovell had controversially seen red as Verwood Town exited the FA Vase.

Boss Arnold claimed Tobin had been wrong to dismiss young striker Lovell in the early stages of the Potters’ second round home defeat to Alresford yesterday.

The 10-man hosts were beaten 4-1 by their Wessex Premier rivals after Tobin had decided to send off Lovell following a challenge on goalkeeper Jarid Hixon, who had raced out of his penalty area in an attempt to clear the ball.

Tobin confirmed Lovell had been given his marching orders for serious foul play and the Daily Echo was today unable to contact the match official for further comment.

Cup kings Alresford, who won three knockout competitions last season including a 3-2 win over Cherries to claim the Hampshire Senior Cup, did not waste their opportunity as they went on to progress and take the £1,200 in prize money.

But Arnold insisted the dismissal had a major bearing on the outcome and claimed Tobin had made an incorrect call. He told the Daily Echo: “One massive decision from the referee changed the whole outlook on the game.

“In my view, it was a ball over the top, the goalkeeper came out and he realised that he was in no man’s land. He was going to pick it up and he was a couple of yards outside his box. He went to try to head it and Jack caught him but Jack had his eye on the ball the whole time.

“He (referee Tobin) told our skipper he was going to book him and he did not send him off straight away. He looked for the goalkeeper, who rolled around a lot, and sent Jack off.

“I have got players that make mistakes, I make mistakes and you learn from them, but referees are apparently never wrong. He got a massive decision wrong in a massive cup competition. There was no video evidence so they can hide behind that now. It is frustrating as a manager.”

After losing Lovell, Potters were left reeling and fell behind when Andy Mott latched on to a well-placed cross from the left flank to stroke Alresford ahead.

Although Arnold’s men were a goal and a man down, they were not without their chances to level to the tie. The best opportunity fell to returning frontman Mike Haskell, who flashed a header inches wide just before the break.

As Lovell watched on from the stands in the second period, the visitors doubled their lead. Warren Bentley was involved again as he released Joe Wright down the left-hand side, the full-back worked his way past two men and rolled the ball into the path of Steve Brown to add his 12th of the season.

The goal of the game, however, undoubtedly fell to Potters’ Nathan Saxby to give Verwood hope on 63 minutes. He found half a yard on the edge of the area to strike a blistering effort into the top corner.

But the numerical disadvantage soon showed. Searching for an equaliser, the Potters pushed forward and left themselves exposed for Bentley to cap his display with a well-taken finish. Substitute Daniel Strange also got his name on the scoresheet late on.

Arnold added: “It was fatigue and tiredness at the end and 4-1 flattered them, but I take nothing away from Alresford. They are a good side.”

Potters: Fawcett, Gajic, Homer (Gilham, 79), Oldring, Kelly, Dyer, Saxby, J Webb (Murray, 89), Haskell, Lovell, Hill (Joy, 89). Unused subs: Elysee, Lynch (g/k).