WISBECH Rugby Club were stung by controversial refereeing decisions as two disallowed tries stopped them from upsetting the league leaders.

Table-toppers South Woodham Ferrers claimed an 8-3 win in a feisty encounter at Harecroft Road on Saturday - but Wisbech felt they should have secured more than a losing bonus point.

The hosts thought they had scored tries twice in the second half, only for the referee to rule that they had been held up over the line.

The bad-tempered clash stayed scoreless until the 65th minute when Wisbech edged ahead thanks to Will Pettit’s penalty.

But the hosts’ lead was a brief one as Ferrers won the ball in the lineout and released their winger for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed but the visitors did extend their advantage in the closing stages with a penalty.

Wisbech boss Cliff Humphreys said: “When you are down, luck always seems to go against you. Unfortunately the referee failed to see that we had scored our tries.

“Each squad member played his part and it was a very spirited performance. The losing bonus point puts us fourth from bottom, one place away from relegation.”

Wisbech, who have lost their last five London North-East Division Three games, travel to Upminster on Saturday.