Corinthian-Casuals suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Dorking Wanderers in a game that saw both sides suffer the wrath of the match officials as they claimed centre stage.

“Never in a million years did we deserve to lose 2-0,” said manager James Bracken following the loss. “We’ve ended up playing with nine men today. We’ll take a certain amount of responsibility for that but the referee has had a stinker of an afternoon.

“He told me at half time, unequivocally that he was going to book seven of my players in the second half. He said this in front of his assistants. And they’re supposed to be impartial?

Casuals started bright and Warren Mfula raced through on goal but could only steer his shot wide of Slavomir Huk’s goal.

Despite the fast start, Corinthians found themselves behind on 15 minutes. Tom Richards raced onto a ball deep on the left and keeper Brad Comins came rushing out only to find himself in no-man’s land as Richards calmly lobbed the ball over and into an empty net.

The amateurs had barely regrouped when Jason Prior struck with a second. The defence failed to deal with a cross and Prior was able to capitalise finishing well.

Coskun Ekim came closest to getting Casuals back into the game as his vicious shot ricocheted off the post and to safety.

Dorking’s task was to hold Casuals at bay but their task got harder when Rob Sheridan fouled Mfula as the striker was through on goal – the defender getting his marching orders.

With half time approaching, Casuals found themselves also down to ten men. As Dorking launched an attack down the right flank, Mu Maan upended his attacker on the corner of the box. After a brief deliberation with his assistant, it was deemed that Maan had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and he was also dismissed.

In a stifled second half, Mfula had the best chance to get one back but steered his effort just wide. Jordan Clarke also saw his shot well saved by Huk at the near post.

And Casuals were down to nine men when Clarke clashed with Dorking’s Issac Philpott. Both players were cautioned and Clarke received an immediate second yellow for dissent.

Dorking move up into second place and are now unbeaten in ten league matches. Casuals remain in 16th.

Bracken was livid with the official’s performances.

“Mu Maan's sending off was a joke.”

“That’s a massive decision in a crucial part of the game. It’s on the corner of the penalty area with a covering defender and he’s never going to score from where the foul is committed. He’s not the last man, he’s not in the middle of the goal, so why is he sending him off?

“The referee has taken great delight in being the star of the show and sending three players off today.

“But getting back to us, we were fantastic. I said in the group huddle, you can play like wimps or you can play like warriors. We turned up and played superb. Okay – we didn’t get three points but sometimes there’s more to football than just three points. That’s what that was. Absolutely superb.

“Play like that every week and we’ll win most weeks. Dorking are a good side but they got away with one today, and if they’re honest, they know that too. It would’ve been nice for everyone to have seen eleven-a-side though.”