READING Men were condemned to a 2-1 Premier Division defeat at Hampstead & Westminster on Sunday by a controversial goal scored by one of their former players, writes Dave Wright.

Four minutes from time Chris Cargo found the back of the net, but Blues claimed the cross had come with the back of the stick.

Their appeals, however, were waived aside by the umpire.

Team manager Tim Hamilton admitted: “It was a difficult result to stomach. We dominated the majority of possession and had several clear-cut chances we should have taken.”

The first 35 minutes at the Paddington Recreation Ground saw both sides playing at break-neck speed, but it was the Blues who broke the deadlock, with Rick Mantell scoring from a penalty stroke after 25 minutes.

The game became a little scrappy, but Hampstead deserved their equaliser from Rupert Shipperley on 50 minutes.

Blues continued to dominate territory and possession, with the hosts content to try to counter-attack, using aerials to release pressure and it was one such break that led to Cargo’s disputed winner.

This was Reading’s first league defeat since losing 5-3 at Surbiton in November and it is the Sugden Road side who will be the visitors to Sonning Lane this Saturday (6.30pm).

They lead the table with 32 points, four more than Beeston and eight better off than Reading in third place.

Reading Women also stay third in the Investec Conference West standings following their 2-1 win over Isca at Sonning Lane on Saturday.

They fell behind to a goal from Anna-Rose Gabbitass after 10 minutes, but like they had when winning at Slough in the cup the previous Sunday, the Blues battled back well.

Keelie Perham equalised from a penalty corner just before the half-hour mark and shortly afterwards skipper Emma Thomas grabbed the winner for the second match running.

Blues move on to 27 points, four behind leaders Trojans and one fewer than second-placed Stourport, who are the visitors to Sonning Lane this Saturday (1.30pm).