Sherborne Town 1, Westbury United 1

A "DIABOLICAL" refereeing decision robbed Westbury of a near-certain victory at The Terrace Playing Field, according to manager Paul Brickley.

The Meadow Lane chief was furious with the official for refusing to award a second half penalty for what looked like a blatant hand-ball.

"The centre half dived and saved the ball with both his hands," said a disbelieving Brickley.

"The ball then bounced back and hit the referee on the head. But he said he was too close to give a decision.

"I don't moan about the officials very much but they were not very good on Saturday."

The penalty dispute left a bitter taste for Brickley, though he conceded Westbury had not done enough to win the game.

He said: "I would have taken a point before we went down there and I think the draw was probably a fair result. But when you get a penalty decision like that it's a little bit harsh.

"The Sherborne players celebrated like they'd won the FA Cup after the game. I don't know whether people don't like me but teams always seem to celebrate hard when they beat us."

Wayne Wheeler and Marc Lanfear had already gone close for Westbury before Tom Staddon fired the visitors into a 15th minute lead.

Nathan Hallett laid the ball off and Staddon smashed the ball past James Smith in the Sherborne net from 25 yards.

The hosts were gifted a chance to draw level with their first real attack of the game just after the half-hour.

Mark Pearce was judged to have fouled Sam Jarman in the penalty area, but the Sherborne striker ballooned his spot kick high over the crossbar.

Westbury had not conceded in six league matches prior to this First Division clash, but the White Horse men failed to extend that run in Dorset.

Steve Burton's swerving cross was met by Marc Caines, who volleyed home the equaliser from six yards.

The second half was equally tight with few chances created by either side.

Nick Evans kept Westbury on level terms when he showed neat handling to catch Nick Jacobs' header from Ben Wood's long throw.

At the other end a similar passage of play saw Pearce latch onto Wheeler's long throw and shoot just wide of the upright.

Evans made a brilliant stop to deny James O'Brien before Aaron Billett's pacy run and strike was blocked by the Sherborne defence.

Westbury saw their appeals for a penalty fall on deaf ears as the clock ticked towards full time.

The final chance fell to the home side and it needed some strong defending by Pearce and the experienced Steve Seals to keep Sherborne at bay.