Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard was disappointed with the performance of the referee in his side's 1-0 defeat to Solihull Moors at the Armco Arena.

Despite getting into dangerous positions and often causing havoc in the home side’s box, Stones could not break down a resolute defence and were reduced to 10 men when Sam Bowen was dismissed just after the hour mark.

When asked about the differences between the two sides on the day, Maynard didn’t hold back in his assessment.

“The referee. He had a big effect on the game and it’s horrible to sit here and talk about them. I probably shouldn’t,” he told the club website.

“The referee was awful today. Not just for us but for both teams, so it’s not like it’s just one way, but I thought he was bad both ways.

"The key decision in the middle of the pitch, Tahvon Campbell gets thrown to the ground. It’s a clear foul, they break and it’s 1-0."

Maynard also expressed his frustration with the referee’s decision to send Bowen off, feeling as if his side were being unfairly treated by the officials on the day.

“They sent Sam Bowen off for exactly the same foul for a second bookable offence. It’s the same foul,” said Maynard, referencing a foul that wasn’t given for his side before going behind.

"I don’t get how he cannot see that as a foul, but then see our (Bowen’s) one as a foul. He didn’t referee the game the same way all the way through.

"It’s terrible and it’s frustrating because we’ve come away to a team who are flying high at the top of this league.”

Despite the frustrating loss, Maynard remained optimistic for the future and what his side may be able to achieve this season.

“If we don’t go behind then, I think we’re the team that’s pushing forwards. The team controlling the ball and trying to create overloads in the final third,” said a bullish Maynard.

“We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third when we got it beyond the lines, but you’ve got to understand that they’re a very good defensive unit. They defend the gaps really well and you have to really grind them down.”

As the Stones continue to struggle in the National League, they host an inconsistent Rochdale side on Saturday (3pm) before travelling to sixth-placed Halifax Town just a week later, with Maynard hoping for an upturn in fortune for his side.