Boreham Wood manager Ian Allinson believes a controversial sending off in their 3-1 home defeat to struggling Whitehawk has done a “huge disservice” to other teams battling against relegation.

The controversial decision came after 35 minutes on Saturday when Sam Cox was sent off by referee John Busby for a handball in the area.

Whitehawk climbed out of the relegation zone after the victory which could go a long way to helping them avoid the drop.

Allinson told the club website: “It ruined the game for the spectators who had paid good money to see a fair game. It has also done the other teams battling for survival a huge disservice.

“Nobody would have questioned the penalty, but to reduce us to ten men was ridiculous.”

He added: “I’m sorry for the players who have done so well over the past few weeks.

“They were denied by a poor decision from the referee and you have to ask yourself what the end result would have been with 11 men still on the field.”

The incident took place when a long throw was flicked on and Cox misjudged his leap which led to the ball hitting his arm.

But the ball was going away from goal and the hosts felt it did not deny a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Jake Robinson took full advantage as he blasted the penalty into the net to give Whitehawk a precious lead.

It got even worse five minutes later when Wood fell 2-0 behind. Greg Morgan conceded a free-kick and the visitors sent in a delivery which was headed home by Tom Cadmore.

Junior Morais had a late opportunity in the first half but his shot was saved.

The hosts should have pulled one back in the second half but Morais was unable to find the target with his header from a cross by Ricky Shakes.

Graeme Montgomery released Morais after a ball over the defence but visiting keeper Chris Winterton got down sharply to make the save.

The match was killed off in the final ten minutes when the hosts conceded another penalty.

Morgan fouled Danny Mills and Dominic Green converted the spot-kick for Whitehawk.

Allinson’s team kept going and were rewarded with a consolation in injury time when Morais fired home a corner from Mario Noto. Wood frustrated Conference South play-off contenders Havant & Waterlooville after fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.

Fifth-placed Havant failed to take maximum points against Allinson’s side despite opening the scoring after 21 minutes.

Daniel Blanchett’s only previous goal came against Wood and he punished them again with a 20-yard strike which fired Havant into the lead.

Aristede Bassele put the ball in the net five minutes later for the hosts but his effort was ruled out for offside.

But Boreham Wood grabbed the equaliser against the run of play eight minutes before half-time. Shakes struck a superb shot for the visitors and they held out in the second period to thwart Havant.

Wood make the short journey to relegation-threatened Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday before entertaining Staines Town on Monday afternoon.