FURIOUS boss Steve Appleby condemned a season of “embarrassing refereeing” after Wisbech Town finished their campaign with nine men on the pitch.

Anthony Reeve and Chris Bacon were dismissed in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brantham Athletic, taking the team’s season card tally to nine red and 87 yellow.

The result confirmed Wisbech’s fourth-placed finish in the Ridgeons Premier Division - the same as last season.

But Appleby insisted that poor refereeing had haunted the Fenmen and prevented them from mounting a serious promotion charge.

“I’ve never known a season like it,” he said. “You know you’re not going to get the rub of the green all the time, but normally it evens out over the course of the season.

“Nothing has gone for us this year and Saturday was another example of that. Some of it has been embarrassing.

“I would say a third of our games this season have been influenced by a refereeing decision.

“I’m the first person to look at myself rather than look for excuses elsewhere, but all I’m asking for is a bit of consistency.

“If you looked at our disciplinary record you would think we’re a dirty side but that’s just not the case.”

Ollie Gale’s header and a deflected, stoppage-time shot from Adam Millson gave Wisbech their final point of the season at the weekend - but thoughts immediately began to turn towards another promotion bid next year.

Appleby revealed Matt Lunn (work commitments) and Reeve (groin injury) both had problems to resolve but hoped to commit to the Fenmen.

The Wisbech boss also said that Lewis Thompson was considering his future after failing to nail down a regular starting place this term.

“Apart from that everyone has agreed to stay,” he said.

“The amount of time I spent dealing with players moving last summer was ridiculous. I’m certainly not doing that again.

“We’re looking to hang on to our squad and bring two or three in. I know what we need.”

Appleby added: “I don’t think we’ve got the silverware to show how far we’ve come this season but I do think we’ve laid a massive platform.”