Coventry Sphinx had a man sent off and missed a penalty but succumbed to defeat in a Midland Alliance fixture against Shifnal Town this afternoon.
Lynton Wilkinson and John Woodward took the the team in Paul Charnley's absence as Sphinx struggled to gain any ground against the the Shropshire side early.
It was not until the 24th minute when that Sphinx gave Steve Jackson in the Shifnal a chance to warm his hands on a bitterly cold afternoon.
Carl O'Neill had been the busier of the two custodians and in the 36th minute, the former Nuneaton Griff keeper was called into action. Liam Kay tackled Robert Simcox. There was some contact but there was total disbelief as referee Mr Wilkes pulled out a red card and raised it in the face of Kay who was not the last man.
The Assistant Referee Mr Upton had finished arguing and then shouting with the home supporters, as Neil Barnfield stepped up and took a penalty kick which O'Neill brilliantly saved diving to his right.
Down to ten men, Wilkinson sent on Declan Doherty for attacker Luke Hopkins and Sphinx before the break settled down with Tom Thacker firing wide.
Against a side who won six out of their last seven games, Sphinx were always going to be up against it.
Ten minutes into the second half, Shifnal won a corner and Craig Gregg made the most of the loose ball inside the six yard box to lash the ball into the net.
Shifnal seemed to ease up and Sphinx got back at them. Tom Thacker broke clear in the 64th minute only to blast his effort high and wide. Seven minutes later, his free kick beat the wall but provided Jackson with an easy catch.
In the 85th minute, Sphinx were awarded a penalty. Substitute Mark Owen broke through and has a shot blocked. The ball fell to Callum Woodward who was sent crashing as he tried to shoot.
Jackson's antics of touching the crossbar delayed the kick and Stevenson drilled the kick a yard wide of the keeper's left hand post and to the feet of yours truly who was stood behind the goal.
The miss cost Sphinx a point on a day when they needed a win to have possibly topped the table.
Next Saturday, Sphinx, who are now third in the table after Boldmere's 2-1 win at Rocester, travel to Cradley Town.
Coventry Sphinx Reserves drew 1-1 at Highgate United this afternoon in a Midland Combination Reserve Division game. Leon Simmons scored for Danny McSheffrey's side.