Livid Hadleigh boss Steve Holder could barely contain his fury and frustration as his side let slip a lead to lose 2-1 against relegation threatened Brantham in a thrilling clash at Millfield.

Joe Yaxley had given the Brettsiders a first half lead but a 10 minute sin bin for Hadleigh's Mason Ransome early in the second half allowed James Lee to bang in an equaliser for Brantham.

Then, in the 90th minute to compound Holder's anger, referee Chris Whitley waved play on from what looked a clear hand ball from a raised Brantham arm and Jose Santa De La Paz raced away to net the controversial winner.

"We controlled the game," fumed Holder. "Good luck to Brantham but we are frustrated. We were all over them and didn't take or chances.

"I don't know how the referee has missed that hand ball, it was a massive call."

The loss was not just down to the ref though as ill discipline, opportunities scorned and a loss of focus cost United.

"Mason has just got back in the side then he does that," said Holder. "He needs to keep his mouth shut because that has cost us a goal.

"Then the referee has cost us a point or even three, it was a shocking decision in my opinion."

New signing from Whitton United Asa Milliard was one of the bright points for Hadleigh showing off a Rabana pass and linking well with Glover until he ran out of steam

Holder added: "Asa has not played for a while but he has done really well.

Boyland was delighted with his side that staunchly survived a first half onslaught, took advantage of a 10-minute sin bin, and a late hand ball decision, which went their way, with loanee De La Paz finishing superbly.

"It was a deserved win," said Boyland who took over as Brantham manager from Michael Brothers in January. "We had a shaky start which was down to nerves, but I have massive believe in these boys

"The reason I took the job was because I knew they had something about them and just needed to come together. Now all the need to do is keep believing and keep focused on what we are trying to achieve and tonight they showed that."

After surviving a close call from Joel Glover straight after the break, the Blue Imps, who had hit the crossbar and seen a shot cleared off the line, grabbed the equaliser though Lee during the sin bin spell as Hadleigh winger Mason Ransome was given a 10 minute suspension for dissent.

Boyland felt it was just rewards and said: "We defended like demons in the first half, took advantage of the sin bin and scored a good goal at the end.

"I know the game changed when they had a sin bin but we hit the crossbar and and against a strong Hadleigh side we were resilient and we stuck to the task got our reward.

"For a lot of the season it has gone the other way, we have held out and them someone has scored against us and it has been demoralising but tonight our boys showed determination and believe and they deserved that win."

After going in the book for an early robust challenge Lee, who had brief spell at Hadleigh after falling out with former Brantham boss Brothers, has impressed on his return to Brantham.

Brantham took full advantage on the reduced numbers with Lee finishing a good move, instigated by new signing Jamie McGrath from East Bergholt.

"I'm proud of the way James has done after the knocks and set backs he has had this season" said Boyland. "I don't know how he does it, but he turns up in the box ant the ought time, you can't teach that he just does it and is natural goalscorer from midfield."

On loan wide man from Needham Market, De La Paz, once again showed his pace and close control before finishing superbly, much to the delight of the travelling support.

"Jose is a good boy," said a beaming Boyland. "That goal has been coming for him, he has been showing potential every week and I have massive belief in him because he is a massive talent. He has a wonderful attitude, like all the boys here have . No ego, just hard work and we will get or reward."

The win secured a vital three points in Brantham's battle for Premier Division survival and Boyland is confident they can beat the drop.

He said: "In training we keep rehearsing, keep sticking together, keep the philosophy about what we want to do going forward and defensively and we will get the outcome.

"It may not come straight way but if we keep battling and eventually the results will turn and for me tonight that happened."

Yaxley caused problems throughout, went close from a fine free kick which dissected the Brantham wall, but was well saved by Ryan Bedingfield.

Glover, Ransome and Milliard all scorned chances to net for Hadleigh and they were left to rue those missed opportunities.

Meanwhile, as competitive as the clash proved, there was a good touch off the pitch with the game being jointly sponsored by Hadleigh United stalwart Mark Ward and his dad the long time Brantham supporter Trot Ward.

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