Ryman One South

Folkestone 2

Chipstead 2

TO many people it would have been a shock had Chipstead held on for victory at the Buzzlines Stadium. But not to visiting boss Mark Tompkins, or his travelling Chips.

The High Road chief was left deeply frustrated that refereeing decisions left a new formation – three at the back – in tatters.

New signing Daniel Moody, on loan from Croydon Athletic, scored within five minutes.

But Chipstead missed a catalogue of chances and conceded twice in the last 10 minutes.

Tompkins said: "We should have beaten them. We could have gone in at half-time two or three goals up after we had a proper go at them.

"Their manager must have had a go at them at half-time and they are the league leaders.

"But it shows how far we have come that we're disappointed not to have won."

Moody put another couple of chances wide and hit the bar.

Scott Simpson had two good chances before half-time to add to the lead.

Tompkins went with three at the back to combat the attacking strengths of Jimmy Jackson and Simon Austen.

"I had to take off the first player I put in at left back because he was caught with a bad foul and then the second player who was caught by the same opponent."

Ryan Watts and Jason Thompson were the unlucky duo.

Sean Rivers headed across goal as Chipstead continued to create chances, but Tompkins was angered by refereeing decisions.

Tompkins reckoned keeper James Wastell was fouled when Folkestone scored their equaliser.

"It would have been given as a foul nine times out of 10," he said. "Then we got caught by a sucker punch."

Folkestone scored on 81 and 85 minutes.

Play-off seeking Fleet Town visit High Road on Saturday, with Tompkins eyeing victory again.

The boss said: "They are probably one of the better sides in the league but we're going in looking to win, especially after Whitstable won at the weekend."

The Kent club are now just a point behind Chipstead, who are fourth from bottom.

Tompkins has taken a chance on highly-rated Moody, 18, who has not played a lot of football at neighbouring Croydon Athletic. The striker played wide right and has been signed on an initial month's loan.

The manager was set to continue with his formation experiments by using the reserve team fixture on Tuesday for first-team action.