Tamworth 2 Folkestone Invicta 0

FOLKESTONE Invicta manager Neil Cugley was sent off and left fuming after his side had fallen victims of an unbelievable decision which broke their stubborn resistance after a spirited display away to champions-elect Tamworth on Saturday.

The controversy came as goalkeeper Maurice Munden jumped to catch a Graeme Atkinson corner from the left but was then bundled towards his line by centre forward Darren Collins.

To the visitors' astonishment, assistant referee Robinson signalled for a goal and referee Steans backed up his view that Munden had carried the ball over his own goal line and chose to ignore any contact made by Collins.

Anthony Henry and Martin Chandler were booked for their protests as a disbelieving Invicta side struggled to accept the award of the decisive goal and manager Neil Cugley was banished to the stands as he remonstrated with assistant referee Robinson on the pitch.

Captain Scott Lindsey was soon also booked for his protests as the game threatened to degenerate into a farce following the decisive intervention of the officials which ruined the game.

The record books will state that it was a Munden own goal because no Tamworth player can lay claim to having put the ball over the line, but for Invicta it will always be remembered as the 'goal' that never was - and yet that was somehow allowed to stand.

Invicta did well to stick to their task after the controversial opening goal, but Tamworth did increase their lead in the 88th minute when substitute Mark Hallam headed in another Atkinson corner, this time from the right.