RADCLIFFE Borough were on the wrong end of a series of poor refereeing decisions, according to manager Danny Johnson, as they lost 1-0 at Burscough on Tuesday night.

The Evo-Stik First Division North strugglers had two penalties awarded against them, while Aaron Walters was shown a straight red card and Boro picked up four bookings.

Danny Lafferty conceded the first penalty midway through the opening half following what Johnson described as minimal contact.

The resulting spot kick clipped the bar before going behind for a goal kick and the two sides went into the break level at 0-0.

Boro were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Walters was penalised for a strong challenge, although their manager believed it was nothing more than a full-blooded tackle.

Lafferty was then penalised again for a challenge in the box that Johnson claimed he won fair and square.

And while Chris Cheetham saved the spot kick low to his right, Andrew Lewis followed up to tuck home the loose ball to claim the winner four minutes from time.

"I cannot explain some of the decision made by the referee and linesman," said Johnson.

"It's not just sour grapes. Danny (Lafferty) could have had three bookings in the match by the letter of the law as he was booked for a 50-50 challenge early in the game then didn't pick up a yellow for either of the two penalties.

"I didn't fully see the first one, but Danny claims he never touched the man, but I got a good view of the second and he clearly won the ball. If he had committed two fouls then why wasn't he booked for either penalty?

"The sending off was a joke. I spoke to the linesman and he said Aaron won the ball but went in too hard.

"How hard is too hard on a football field? He didn't go over the top or studs up."

Boro's match at Brighouse Town on Saturday was called off at half time, due to a waterlogged pitch, with the scores level at 1-1 following a Ric Smith equaliser.