ANDY LEADER had only one word to describe the goal that sent his BAT side crashing to a late 1-0 defeat at Southern Gardens last night - "Scandalous."

With 87 minutes gone, the Sydenhams Wessex League clash appeared to be petering out into a 0-0 draw until Hamble ASSC's Louis Langdown burst through, controlled the ball twice with his arm and buried the shot that the broke the Tobaccomen's hearts.

Everyone in the ground, bar the man who mattered, saw the handball and Leader said afterwards: "The Hamble lad came up and apologised, but I don't blame him, I blame the officials for not doing their job.

"The referee actually had a fantastic game but he missed the key moment. He had three people in front of him and said you can't give what you don't see.

"But there was a linesman there and I find it hard to accept that the officials didn't see it. The Hamble lad almost caught the ball and then pushed it to one side.

"My boys were superb tonight but they ended up with nothing. I feel despondent and gutted."

Langdown had earlier missed a 65th-minute penalty for the Planemakers following a foul on Jamie Hill. He hit the spot-kick straight at Nick Hutchings and headed the follow-up into the keeper's arms.

Blackfield & Langley battled out a goalless draw at Bournemouth Poppies. Both sides had chances to win it - Chris Bell going closest for the Watersiders with a shot that ran just past the post.

Poppies finished the game with ten men after having a player red-carded 15 minutes from time.

New manager John Robson blamed Bashley's defensive generosity for last night's disappointing 3-1 FA Trophy preliminary round replay exit at Marlow.

The Foresters were sunk by two goals from former AFC Newbury hotshot Yashwa Romeo and one from Nicky Ryder before substitute Danny Gibbons got a late consolation.

"The lads worked their socks off and we tried to win the game, but we gave them their goals through bad defending," said Robson. "We played well in stages but lapses of concentration cost us."

Basingstoke Town are still searching for home comfort in the Ryman Premier Division.

Last night's 2-0 reverse against Grays Athletic made it only five points gained from a possible 21 at the Camrose Ground for Ernie Howe's side.

Stoke, who were without injured hotshot Craig McAllister, fell to a goal in each half from Freddie Eastwood.

Salisbury City have lodged notice of approach for Fleet Town's left-sided player Shaun Hale.

The Army man only recently joined Fleet from Havant & Waterlooville, but Salisbury hope to speak to him after next Tuesday's Dr Martens Eastern Division trip to Calthorpe Park.