DEVIZES SNEAK WIN AFTER LATE RED DRAMA

The O's had come back after going a goal behind to Jack Hopper's penalty, replying via Scott Robson. They looked likely to go on and win the game but the controversial dismissal of left back Ali Bamford hit the O's chances of victory and Devizes added further goals from Hopper and sub Jordon Matthews to secure the victory.

After Saturday's 2-0 setback at Horndean in the FA Vase, Oldland made three changes to the side that started that tie. Sam Hippisley at centre back was replaced by Joel Hartley while in midfield, David Stone and Gary Shorney dropped to the bench with Lewis Parker and Tom Welling coming in. Welling took up the right back position with Ryan Dunn moving ahead of him on the right flank.

It was all Oldland in the early stages and the home side should have been two or three up inside the first twenty minutes. Matt Curnock's angled shot went over, Scott Robson's volley flew wide and Luke Soule's effort was smothered by the Devizes keeper before he could get a shot away. Ali Bamford couldn't quite get on the end of a deep Tom Welling cross but it seemed a matter of time before the O's took the lead.

Keeper Josh Dempsey saved a shot by his near post but on 40 minutes, the keeper clipped Jack Hopper in the box. Ref Simon Turner gave the penalty and Hopper sent Dempsey the wrong way to make it 1-0. Right on half time, Jordan Greenwood came up for a corner and after his initial header was saved, he then hit the post with a follow up effort.

Hopper was proving dangerous on the counter and Dempsey had to save low and to his right early in the second half with Curnock clearing up the danger. Dunn then went mighty close for Oldland after Robson had held the ball up before laying it off to the midfielder who sent a rising drive a foot over. Curnock's fierce drive from twelve yards was then deflected for a corner.

And it was from another corner a minute later that Oldland finally scored. Tyrone Fudgell swung in a corner and Robson glanced home his second goal of the season. Ten minutes later, he was so close to making it three for the campaign when Ali Bamford ran half the length of the left flank before aiming a cross into the middle where Robson was inches away from sliding home.

Bamford himself went close on 75 minutes with a right foot volley that went wide of the far post but the defender's night turned sour three minutes later in a controversial incident that turned the match. Taking a throw in his own half, his path was blocked deleiberately by a Devizes attacker who then fell to the floor clutching his face. The referee issued a straight red card to Bamford and despite then consulting his assistant, stuck to his decision, leaving Oldland to play out the last twelve minutes with ten men.

At 1-1 and in the ascendancy regarding possession, territory and chances, Oldland had looked sure to push on and grab a winner but the final ten minutes saw all hands to the pump as Devizes went for the jugular. Hopper made it 2-1 to Devizes with six minutes remaining and the visiting Wiltshire contingent went wild in stoppage time when sub Jordon Matthews made it 3-1 as Oldland were caught pushing forward looking for a leveller.

Despite the defeat, Oldland will make the short trip to Ashton & Backwell on Saturday in fifth spot though sixth placed Cheddar are just a point behind with three games in hand.