BOSS Adie Arnold criticised the conduct of Folland Sports counterpart Danny Bowers after luckless Christchurch were beaten 3-2 by the Planemakers last night.

Bowers was sent to the stand by referee Michael Ballard having consistently berated the match officials during the second half of an entertaining clash at Hurn Bridge.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: “Danny was on the officials’ case all game and sometimes you have to take a look at yourself. He’s a passionate guy and I can relate to that but you can’t get involved in the way he did.

“They (Folland) do get bad press as a club and people’s perceptions usually filter down from the management.

“I thought he (Bowers) let down himself as well as his club.

“I am sure they will deal with it in house but the biggest thing is admitting it yourself and I don’t know whether Danny will do that. He still probably thinks he’s in the right.”

Christchurch twice took the lead through Nathan Saxby and Jack Lovell during the first half but defensive lapses allowed the visitors to reach half-time on level terms.

Following Bowers’s indiscretion, Priory were awarded a penalty but Mark Smith’s effort was well saved by Ryan Gosney before substitute Stuart Gates stole the points seven minutes from time.

Arnold, who takes his side to rock-bottom Totton & Eling on Saturday (3pm), added: “We can’t buy a win at the moment and I feel sorry for the players because they’re doing a lot of good things but we must start picking up points.

“Silly mistakes are killing us but I still stand by my decisions and the lads in the dressing room. Totton is a massive game for us because a defeat could leave us isolated.

“We’re a close-knit bunch and despite the results things are steadily coming together. We will get it right.”

Priory: Roast, Harris, Hill, Clark, Steer, Cullen, Smith, Hampton-Brown, Lovell, Vining (Owen, 66), Saxby. Unused subs: Moran, Proudley, Randall, Wright.