Saints reserves drew 1-1 at Derby last night but both sides were left fuming at the performance of the referee who sent-off Chris Baird seven minutes before half-time.

Both Derby and Saints fielded young sides and the men from St Mary's got off to the perfect start when Mike Williamson crept in at the far post to knock home Brian Howard's corner to give them the lead after just 12 minutes.

But the Rams hit back five minutes later and the game stayed that way until the final whistle with Alan Blayney putting in a strong performance in goal and Andrew Surman missing a great chance when he blasted over from eight yards out.

However, the match was soured by the 38th minute dismissal of Northern Ireland international Baird and reserves boss Steve Wigley admitted: "I don't know what it was for.

"The ref said it was for dissent. Chris was brought down by the keeper as he charged in on goal and it was a clear penalty.

"He might have sworn then but not at the referee and got booked and nobody could believe it when the ball went out for a throw in and he got sent-off - nothing happened.

"It's a real shame because people like to see 22 young players trying to play their trade.

"So we were not too pleased with the referee because he also turned down two blatant penalties for us but, to be fair, he was just as poor for both sides.

"The Derby manager John Gregory was there and was also none too pleased with him after the game because he was making bad decisions for them as well."

Saints used the match to give a run out to two Eastleigh trialists - 21-year-old centre back Lee Bright and 20-year-old striker Robbie Matthews.

Wigley commented: "Rob Matthews hit a fantastic free-kick and their keeper pulled off a magnificent save but Bright had to come off at half-time with a slight injury."

The Saints second string manager was pleased with his side's second half resolve and the way they tried to play their football.

He added: "What I was pleased about was how we played in the second half.

"As I said, it was two young sides out there and in the first half we didn't pass the ball well but in the second half Chris Macdonald came on and played very very well at the back and got the ball off the keeper and passed the ball ever so well for a 16-year-old.

"That got us starting to pass it as a team and it was an enjoyable second half. I was pleased that we didn't get beat but I never thought we'd lose the game."

Saints Res: Blayney, Baird, Hunt, Bright (Macdonald 45), Williamson, Crowell, Howard, Gleeson, Matthews, A Davies, Surman. Subs: Gillett, G Williams, Green, R Jones.