Stowmarket Town 3 Saffron Walden Town 2 FURIOUS Saffron Walden Town FC assistant boss John Butchart has blasted the terrible decisions made by match officials which he believes cost them the game on Saturday. After clawing their way back from

Stowmarket Town 3

Saffron Walden Town 2

FURIOUS Saffron Walden Town FC assistant boss John Butchart has blasted the "terrible" decisions made by match officials which he believes cost them the game on Saturday.

After clawing their way back from a two goal deficit against Stowmarket Town, the Bloods were stunned by a goal deep into injury time.

The Ridgeons League First Division match at Greens Meadow Ground ended 3-2 and left a sour taste in the mouth for the visitors.

"We were still playing football at 4.55pm when the game should have finished at quarter to five," said Butchart. "It's a joke when the referee starts deciding the outcome of the match rather than the players.

"There was only one injury in the match, so I don't see how there could have been that much added time. They scored from a free kick, which wasn't a foul in the 96th minute and when our players complained they got booked.

"For picking up five yellow cards we could get a �150 fine from the FA which just adds insult to injury."

On a hot day and playing on a hard surface the Bloods found themselves on the back foot straight from the kick off.

The ball was passed out to Stowmarket's James Graham on the wing who saw Ronnie Yates off his line and his shot found the net after 20 seconds.

Just minutes later Graham struck again when he first beat the off-side trap and then the diving Yates to double his tally.

Shell-shocked from finding themselves two goals down, the Bloods struggled to get a foothold in the game and it was not until the second half that they made a breakthrough.

Spike Bell's free kick found defender Peter Flack who beat the diving Ross Charters in the Stowmarket goal with a powerful header after 52 minutes.

Walden found an equaliser in the closing minutes of the game and it was Bell who again played the provider. After a penetrating run through the home side's defence he set up Graeme Turner for a shot which found the back of the net after 89 minutes.

With six minutes of extra time added by the referee, there was still plenty to play for and it was Stowmarket who made it count. Judge took a free kick on the edge of the area and Da Silva scrambled the ball over the line.

Walden were due to play Cornard United last night (Wednesday), after the Reporter went to print. They will host Brantham Athletic on Saturday.