manager Gary Croydon was left cursing two pivotal decisions by the referee as Burgess Hill lost 2-1 to Ryman League division one south leaders Kingstonian at Leylands Park.

Striker Gavin Geddes was sent off for an alleged head-butt on Jamie Beer with the game poised at 1-1 in the second half while the K’s also scored from a controversial penalty given against Danny Gainsford for a tug on Carl Wilson-Denis.

Geddes denied there was any contact at all despite Beer throwing himself to the floor and Croydon said: “The game hinged on those two poor refereeing decisions.

“I spoke to the referee afterwards in the boardroom and asked what he had sent him off for and he told me that he thought that he had, out of the corner of his eye, seen him move his head towards their player.

“Geddes has never been sent off before and was a professional footballer. I said to the referee I couldn’t believe he had made a crucial decision on what he thought he might have saw.

“But we were conned by Kingstonian all game.

“It’s no coincidence that they have had four players sent off against them in the previous six games the way they go about their business.

“It’s the dark side of the game and I want no part of it.”

Beer said: “He (Geddes) just got the hump and put the head on me.

“It wasn’t a proper head-butt but there was contact and I’m experienced to know that in those situations the guy is going to be sent off.”

Bobby Traynor got both Kingstonian’s goals while Luke Gedling struck for Hillians.

Worthing edged a step closer to cementing their place in the play-offs after coming from behind to win 4-2 at home to Merstham.

The Rebels were dealt a blow before the game started when Alan Mansfield dropped out due to sickness which meant a debut for 18-year-old Ollie Barton.

All was looking good when Jamie Brotherton fired them ahead with a left-foot shot but the visitors hit back to lead 2-1 at half-time.

However, second-half goals from Mickey Demetriou, Ross Treleaven and Paul Kennett earned Worthing the points which lifted them up to fourth in the table.

More importantly they remain four points clear of the chasing pack with three games to play, starting with today’s match at Eastbourne Town which is a 3pm kick-off, not 11am as previously advertised.