‘Shocking decision’ to show Kedwell a red card cost Hawks dearly, insists boss Doswell

And that proved to be the case in the Hawks' shock 2-1 defeat against St Albans City at Westleigh Park that further dented their hopes of winning the National League South title.

Striker Danny Kedwell insisted his 58th minute aerial collision with Tom Bendtner was a complete accident.

The referee viewed it differently, adjudged his use of the arm as deliberate and produced a straight red card.

Most present in the ground were stunned by the decision and it proved a game-changing moment.

At the time the Hawks led through a first-half Jonah Ayunga goal and looked comfortably in charge against their relegation-battling visitors.

Though the hosts retained the upper hand, two soft goals condemned them to a damaging defeat - their fifth at Westleigh Park this season.

It was the third successive time at home that Paul Doswell's team have had to play a significant period with ten men.

Against Dulwich and Weymouth - when Bedsente Gomis and Simon Walton were dismissed - they came away with points.

But not this time as Hawks slipped 10 points behind leaders Wealdstone, and having played a game more than the table-toppers as well.

Doswell slammed the decision to send Kedwell off, feeling it cost his side the game.

'It was a shocking decision and left most people in the ground wondering,' he fumed.

'I have known Tom Bendtner a long time and he has come up to me afterwards and said ‘I don't know what the referee was thinking of’.

'He said there was nothing in it and all Kedwell did was accidentally push him in the back.

'We will look at the video and then decide whether to appeal it.

'It did change the game because we were in control and in charge.

'Even after going down to ten men we created a number of excellent chances.

'St Albans had two shots and scored twice.'

The wind and the soft conditions underfoot made life difficult for both teams from the start.

Passes were misplaced and on a number of occasions players were hampered by the divots, making their efforts to clear look inept.

Not for the first time this season, however, the Hawks struck the first blow.

In their first serious attack after 18 minutes Wes Fogden got himself into a good position to the left of the area.

His deep ball was nodded back across the area by Kedwell for Ayunga to guide in a close range header for his 15th league goal of the season.

Again, though, Hawks were guilty of not scoring a second goal to kill the opposition off.

Even after Kedwell's dismissal, they looked capable of going on and winning.

Once St Albans found an equaliser, however, the complexion suddenly changed.

Sam Merson - son of former Pompey star Paul - headed in from a 65th minute corner.

And soon afterwards a quick counter attack ended with Zane Banton easily slotting home.

Hawks refused to give it up and it took two outstanding saves from Dean Snedker to deny Alfie Rutherford and Fogden a late equaliser.

'The fact is we have not won enough games at home this season,' said Doswell, whose team have only won one of their last six games home or away.

'We can't blame the pitch because other teams have played well enough on it to beat us.

'That is what is going to end up hurting us and prevent us being able to challenge for the title.

'In reality we are now left looking to cement our place in the play-offs, making sure we finish in the top seven.'

Hawks are home again on Wednesday to fellow high-flyers Slough, who they recently drew 1-1 with in Berkshire.