SHREWTON United’s indifferent form continued with a 3-1 defeat at Wiltshire League Premier leaders Ludgershall Sports FC.

The Shrews, who welcomed back captain Dean Foot to the starting XI, endured a calamitous ten minutes as Ludgershall opened up a two-goal cushion.

The first came in the fifth minute when the league leaders used their significant height advantage to make it 1- 0 after a long free kick was headed beyond Matt Cross in the Shrewton goal.

And the second came when confusion was caused after Carlos Downie got the last touch on a long ball into the box that wasn’t dealt with.

United responded well and had claims for a penalty turned down after James Dolman appeared to be brought down in the box. And minutes later, the lively Kieron Kiff had a low effort smartly stopped by the left foot of Ludgershall goalkeeper, Danny Harrison.

That pressure paid off after 25 minutes when Dolman struck a delivery across the face of goal which was handballed by a home defender.

Kiff stepped up from 12- yards to halve the deficit.

Then, a contentious moment confirmed the victory for Ludgershall.

Forward Robbie Owen watched an effort ricochet off the post, which the assistant referee, 30-yards from the incident, deemed had bounced over the line and awarded the goal.

The decision incensed substitute George Plank, who was closest to the incident, and after protesting at the man in the middle, he was duly sent off for dissent in what transpired to be a spicy finish.

Shrewton's manager Scott Young said: “I'm gutted for the lads as there wasn't much in the game and the decision by the assistant killed the game when we were still in with a chance, it was the strangest thing I have seen in a long time.”

“The ball clearly hit the post and bounced about two yards in front of the goal and out past the other post.

George was right next to it and he's lost it, which he shouldn't do, when he saw the decision and that was the game over.”

Sarum Youth were also defeated, but in much heavier fashion.

They capitulated to a 7-1 thrashing away at high-flying FC Chippenham Youth.

Saturday sees Shrewton host Southbrook, while Sarum are away at Malmesbury Victoria.