Stuart Wardley scores for Walden against Ipswich Wanderers.

A CONTROVERSIAL goal cost Walden three points on Saturday in a game that featured precious few chances for both sides.

Stuart Wardley’s first half strike put Walden ahead, but his goal was cancelled out by Luke Reid who appeared to handle the ball in the box before tapping it into the net.

After the game, manager Colin Wallington told the Reporter his side deserved to win.

“I thought it was a handball from where I was standing. I spoke to [goalkeeper] Jason Harvey and he told me it was handball – it was a bad decision from the referee.

“Ipswich didn’t look like scoring before or after that,” he said.

The game didn’t start well for Walden who were forced into an early substitution, Tom Richardson replacing Peter Davies who was taken to hospital with a deep cut on his thigh.

The teams traded barbs for the majority of ta scrappy first half. Jack Severy provided the goal threat for Ipswich but each time Harvey denied him.

For Walden, Louis Harper had the best chance, linking up with James Crane but he couldn’t direct his shot past the crowd of defenders in his way.

It took 38 minutes for the Bloods to get the lead they deserved. Darren Bicknell’s clever back heel on the left side of the box released Matt Snelling who squared the ball back to top scorer Warldley to finish from close range.

The goal had Walden’s tails up going into the interval but early into the second period Reid wiped the smile from their faces. Harvey punch clear a cross from the left, only to see the ball hit Reid - seemingly on the arm - before the striker calmly finished. Despite the Bloods’ objections, the goal stood.

A midfield batle ensued with neither getting the upper hand or being able to penetrate the final third.

It was not Walden’s best performance, a point not missed on Wallington.

“I’m disappointed because we didn’t open their midfield or defence – their goalkeeper didn’t make any saves. It was a midfield battle and in that sense we were the better team.”