Welling United boss Tony Reynolds praised his team's battling performance when they lost to Nationwide Division Two side Reading by a single goal in the FA Cup first round on Saturday at the Madejski Stadium.

The Wings were forced to play the entire second half with only 10 men after defender Peter Overton had been sent off for his second bookable

offence.

Reynolds said: "We looked comfortable in the first half but when we went down to 10 men, it was very tough. Reading then sent on an extra striker and we were under the cosh.

"But we done well considering and full credit to the lads."

The only goal came in the 61st minute when Jamie Cureton deftly headed home Nicky Shorey's left-wing cross which dropped invitingly between Wings' central defenders.

But it might have been different if Overton had not been sent off.

Overton was perhaps a little unlucky to get booked for his first challenge and then stood in disbelief when referee Grant Hegley showed him the second yellow on the stroke of half-time for throwing the ball away.

Reynolds felt the sending off was harsh. He said: "The ref booked him for dissent, but he just threw the ball back to the player. Some refs seem a bit

biased against non-league teams and I felt he didn't really help us at all.

"He and his assistants missed te incident when their centre-half elbowed Overton in the face. He got booked and I thought it was harsh.

"I'm disappointed to lose. It's a shame because everything was going as we had planned and the worse thing to happen was the sending off.

"People asked what I said to Peter, but I didn't need to say anything as he was gutted enough. But it meant that I had to make a tactical chance at the break by bringing on Dave Fleming for Gary Abbott."

Glen Knight no chance with Cureton's effort but the United keeper had earlier made a fine save to keep out Nicky Forster's first-half header.

Welling did have some chances of their own. Russell Edwards had a header saved by Reading goalkeeper Phil Whitehead and Anthony Riviere saw his shot saved in the 77th minute.

Reynolds will now have to lift his players as they return to league action when Stafford Rangers are the visitors to Park View Road on Saturday.

He added: "We showed great character in the FA Cup and we now need to reproduce it in the league, as we are uncomfortably placed in the lower half of the table."

November 20, 2001 11:53

Gordon Law