BEWDLEY Town joint manager Craig Payton was left to rue a controversial decision that cost his side a point when they lost narrowly 2-1 to West Midlands Regional League Premier Division leaders Bridgnorth Town on Saturday.

With the game evenly balanced at 1-1 Bridgnorth grabbed a late winner but Payton felt the scorer was offside.

"We were pushing for a goal when Bridgnorth put the ball down our end and their striker looked offside when he scored the winner," commented the joint manager.

"It's a shame a game has to be decided by a contentious decision like that because it was a good, hard fought match.

"Referees and linesmen are only human and make mistakes. Hopefully these things level out over the course of a season.

"The result was disappointing because we want to win promotion but there is still a long way to go yet."

With Town eager to win promotion to the Midlands Alliance this season, victory over one of their title rivals would have given the Ribbesford Meadows side a boost.

Bewdley's management had to reshuffle the team after midfielder Mike Carter missed the game because of illness.

Town matched the pacesetters early on but found themselves trailing when they were beaten by a first half free-kick.

Bewdley responded well at the start of the season half and Steve Holt's deflected shot levelled the scores in the 50th minute.

Town then came close to taking the lead, with Lewis Pountney, Richard Burgess and Holt all missing chances to score.

But as the visitors pushed for a winner they were caught on a break when a Bridgnorth player latched onto a long ball forward and scored.

Bewdley are expecting to welcome back Carter for Saturday's game away at Dudley Town, which will be played a Lye Town's ground (3pm kick off).