THE Newcastle management duo of John Goodridge and Len Jones were left bemused by a controversial penalty decision as the Mid Wales League South outfit bowed out of the Shropshire Challenge Cup with a 3-2 defeat against St Martins Reserves.

Depleted Newcastle were again without first-choice central defenders Richard Jones and Simon Oakley and they also lost new signing Alan Tovey, another central defender, through illness on the morning of the game.

It meant they played forward Craig Morris and full-back Huw Williams in the central defensive roles, and things started badly as they conceded two goals in the first 20 minutes.

Substitute Sam Windsor came on at half-time to play at centre-half, with Morris moving up front, and he soon headed on a free-kick for the lively Carl Price to net from close range.

Morris then brought a fine save from the visiting keeper before the game-changing incident saw a superb tackle by Huw Williams deemed as a penalty offence by the referee.

Morris produced a fine finish to make it 3-2, but keeper Gary Davies had to pull off a number of fine saves as Newcastle left themselves short at the back as they pushed forward in vain for an equaliser.

Bishop’s Castle Town progressed to round two after a 3-2 win at Morda United. Martin Ziemann, who has rejoined the club from Welshpool, and Malcolm Griffiths twice put them in front and they won it with a late goal from Niall Thomas.

Player-boss Alex Jones said: “The second half was the best we’ve played this season.”