St Leonards' manager Gary Bowyer toasted the best performance of his reign at the Firs as eight men Saints came within a whisker of holding high-flying Stamford.

Gavin Ramsden was harshly sent off for two bookable offences late in the first half, Dean Thomas received a straight red card ten minutes from time for his part in a melee and Tony Cornelius got his marching orders after 88 minutes for his second caution while Bowyer himself was sent from the dugout for dissent.

Saints lost 1-0, but Bowyer saluted his players before he went on the offensive at the officials' performance.

He said: "It was an excellent team performance and the best we have played by a long way.

"I think everyone played really well. We were well in the game in the first half. It's getting there and there's a good spirit.

"But in all the games of football I've played that was the worst referee I've seen in my life. To lose like that is just a joke."

Saints, who handed a debut to ex-Palace man Phil Barber, were sunk by a 48th minute strike from Kevin Byrne.

The defeat leaves Saints 12 points adrift of safety in the eastern division.